Matt Gaetz for Attorney General?

Matt Gaetz

Of all of President-elect Trump's picks for cabinet positions, the choice of Matt Gaetz for attorney general is raising the most eyebrows, including mine.

Being a retiree from the Justice Department (DEA), I take this position very seriously. In my view, it is the most important cabinet position there is, at least on the domestic front. I have seen too many bad AGs in my lifetime. I have seen the effect they have had on DOJ and its agencies.

I'm not an expert on Gaetz. I understand that he has a total of two years of experience as an attorney. As a member of Congress, representing a district in Florida, he has been controversial and has made enemies not only among Democrats but among some Republicans as well. More seriously, was the subject of a criminal investigation involving alleged sexual offenses and alleged bribes. Though prosecutors ultimately declined to file charges, the House of Representatives had been investigating him for ethics violations until he resigned from Congress after being nominated by Trump.

For all I know, Gaetz could turn out to be a good attorney general. He has been one of those in Congress fighting the weaponization of the criminal justice system to go after political opponents. The Justice Department is in serious need of reform, and it will take a strong leader to take the necessary steps. Is Gaetz that person? I don't know, but I have doubts.

I strongly believe that the attorney general should be a person of unquestioned reputation and stature within the legal world. Over the years and decades, we have had too many who did not fill that bill. Political appointees tend not to fill that bill. And we don't need people leading the Department of Justice who are or have been under suspicion of committing illegal acts. I don't know if Gaetz is guilty of the allegations against him, and I repeat that the prosecutor decided not to file charges. Thus, he enjoys the presumption of innocence. I hope I am proved wrong, but right now, I do not like this choice.  DOJ needs to be reformed but without added turmoil and controversy.