The US president-elect announced on Wednesday that he plans to nominate controversial Republican congressman Matt Gates to the position of attorney general, again choosing a staunch supporter with a common… judicial background.

“Matt will End Government Appropriation, Protect Our Borders, Dismantle Organized Crime, and Restore Americans’ Severely Shattered Faith and Trust in the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a statement announcing the pick. of.

The selection of Getz, 42, who has never worked at the Justice Department or as a prosecutor at any level of government, is the latest in a string of appointments of people with little experience to key positions announced by the Republican.

Trump, who has faced a series of criminal charges since the end of his first term as US president, has for years criticized the way the Justice Department operates and has vowed to overhaul it once he is sworn in as president, in January 20.

Getz, who worked at a law firm before being elected to Congress in 2016, hinted yesterday that he might abolish the FBI.

The new Minister of Justice has a “file” in the police and entanglements with the judiciary

Goetz was – and still is – in the crosshairs of the ministry he is now set to lead after he played a major role in the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, after which the body was plunged into chaos for weeks.

The Justice Department had been investigating Getz for nearly three years with the category of human traffickingwhich involved a 17-year-old girl. His office had announced in 2023 that it had been told by prosecutors that no criminal charges would be brought against him.

However, the Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives continues its investigation against Getz on charges of inappropriate sexual behavior, illegal drug use and potential attempts to obstruct the investigation.

Getz himself denies the accusations.

And Trump himself faces criminal charges being investigated by the Justice Department, one of which involves his attempts to sway the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and the other of illegally possessing national security documents.

The Republican billionaire denies the charges and has accused the Justice Department of targeting him to damage his political career.

Reactions and concerns

Former Justice Department officials have expressed concern that Gates will use his position to politicize the department, which has traditionally operated independently of the White House.

“I am concerned that anyone who takes the position of Justice Minister with the aim of politicizing the work of the Department not only risks undermining the rule of law, but also important safeguards that are in place to protect the legitimacy of the Department’s work,” commented Jonathan Smith, former ministry official who left earlier this year

Getz’s choice for attorney general was also met with reservations by some Republicans in the Senate, which must approve his appointment.

“I don’t think this is a serious proposal for attorney general,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski.