Newly elected US President Donald Trump continues to shape his administration with pro-crypto figures by nominating Bitcoin-friendly Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
On November 13, Trump announced that he selected Gaetz to focus on dismantling government weaponry, securing borders, curbing criminal organizations and restoring public confidence in the Justice Department.
Gaetz’s nomination sparked mixed reactions among Republican lawmakers. Some expressed concerns about his confrontational style and limited experience, while others highlighted past controversies, including a federal investigation and a House ethics review.
Nevertheless, Trump believes Gaetz’s efforts on the House Judiciary Committee, where he exposed government overreach and corruption, make him a suitable candidate for the role.
Trump stated:
“Matt played a key role in defeating the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic government corruption and weaponization. He is a champion for the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Gaetz reportedly resigned of the United States Congress after the appointment and announced on social media that it would be an “honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General.”
Gaetz’s appointment aligns with Trump’s recent selection of pro-crypto leaders following the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as joint directors of the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These choices highlight a strong pro-crypto direction for Trump’s upcoming term.
Pro-Bitcoin attitude
During his tenure in Congress, Gaetz did just that supported crypto initiativesintroducing bills that would allow Americans to pay federal taxes in Bitcoin and support crypto-friendly regulatory frameworks such as the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act.
Gaetz has also argued that the US should learn from Bitcoin-friendly countries like El Salvador and has even led a conference delegation to meet with the president of the Central American country, Nayib Bukele.
However, despite his support for crypto legislation, Gaetz has rarely publicly emphasized digital assets as a central pillar of his legislative agenda.