US President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to shape his administration with pro-crypto figures by nominating Bitcoin-friendly Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
On Nov. 13, Trump announced that he was picking Gaetz to focus on dismantling government weaponization, securing borders, curbing criminal organizations, and restoring public trust in the Justice Department.
Gaetz’s nomination stirred mixed reactions among GOP lawmakers. Some raised concerns about his confrontational style and limited experience, while others highlighted his past controversies, including a federal investigation and a House ethics review.
Nonetheless, 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 from the US Congress following the nomination and announced on social media that it would be an “honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General.”
Gaetz’s nomination 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 stance
Throughout his congressional tenure, Gaetz has supported crypto initiatives, introducing bills to allow Americans to pay federal taxes in Bitcoin and backing 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 nations like El Salvador and even led a congressional delegation to meet with the Central American country’s President Nayib Bukele.
However, despite his support for crypto legislation, Gaetz has rarely publicly emphasized digital assets as a central pillar of his legislative agenda.
