Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is the latest name to take office in the second Trump administration.
Will serve as future prosecutor general. The Florida lawmaker has previously shown support for cryptocurrencies and blockchain and has attracted media attention for his high-profile opinions on digital currency policy and federal oversight.
In early June, Gaetz proposed that US residents pay their income tax using Bitcoin. His nomination underscores modern President Donald Trump’s continued push to transform the Department of Justice (DOJ), dismantle the “armed government” and create a favorable environment for cryptocurrency.
A controversial but committed figure in the Trump government
Trump Matt Gaetz nomination is one of the biggest announcements of this week. The president’s order issued Wednesday is by far the most controversial yet and signals that the president wants to shake things up.
Gaetz is a colorful and controversial figure in Republican politics. He is remembered as one of those who called for the ouster of then Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General! pic.twitter.com/dg0iQ0bA6Y
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 13, 2024
Trump described Gaetz as a “tenacious and talented lawyer” who used his time in Congress to reform the criminal justice system. Matt Gaetz has consistently called on the Biden administration to “weaponize the justice system.”
Once confirmed by the Senate, Gaetz intends to do so rebuild the Department of Justicerestore its credibility and ensure its see-through operation.
Matt Gaetz supports Bitcoin and Blockchain
In addition to supporting criminal justice reform, Gaetz also focused on this cryptocurrency and blockchain. In June, he proposed enabling income tax payments in Bitcoin.
The bill seeks to modify the nation’s Internal Revenue Code to allow the U.S. Department of the Treasury to accept BTC as a payment method. According to Gaetz, the move will foster innovation, promote efficiency and provide opportunities for Americans.
Under Matt Gaetz’s bill, the Treasury Secretary must recommend rules for processing BTC payments for specific types of taxes. The Act further states that BTC payments will be converted to USD immediately upon receipt.
Trump continues to push to legitimize Bitcoin
Gaetz’s nomination is part of it Trump’s push to legitimize Bitcoin and crypto. During the campaign, Trump promised to support the cryptocurrency industry, ending President Joe Biden’s aggressive policies towards Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. In one of his speeches, Trump promised to make the US the capital of Bitcoin mining.
In addition to Gaetz, several other cryptocurrency officials are being considered. For example, Cantor Fitzgerald’s Howard Lutnick is being groomed to become Treasury secretary. Trump also announced the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE).
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