In a bold move, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will nominate Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.

For his part, Gaetz has not only accepted the president-elect's offer but has already moved to resign his seat. 

Trump says Gaetz will stop "weaponized government"

According to the Daily Caller, Trump described Gatez in a social media post as being "a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney" who will fight against "weaponized government."

It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General! pic.twitter.com/dg0iQ0bA6Y

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 13, 2024

Meanwhile, the website noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson discussed Gaetz' departure while speaking with reporters at a briefing.

"Everyone who served with him will tell you he’s one of the most intelligent members of Congress. He’s an accomplished attorney," Johnson was quoted as telling journalists.

"He's very concerned about the lawfare that has been occurring in the Department of Justice under the Biden administration and the fact that the American people have lost their faith in our institutions of justice because of everything that we’ve seen," Johnson insisted.

Colleagues surprised by Gaetz's departure

"He's a reformer in his mind and heart, and I think that he’ll bring a lot to the table on that. I think out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter effective immediately from Congress," the House Speaker added.

Johnson acknowledged that the lawmaker's decision to leave "caught us by surprise a little bit," but Gaetz explained how it would help speed up the process of finding a replacement.

The Louisiana Republican said that he has been communicating with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has an eight-week window to fill Gaetz's seat.

"If we start the clock now, if you do the math, we may be able to fill that seat as early as January third when we take the oath of office for the new Congress," Johnson pointed out.

Florida state lawmaker interested in Gaetz's seat

While it is not clear who will take Gaetz's place, one person to show interest is Florida Republican state Rep. Michele Salzman.

"I must admit my phone has really been blowing up with texts and calls from many I respect since Congressman Gaetz was announced as President Trump’s pick for Attorney General," North Escambia quoted her as saying in a social media post.

"I am going to weigh my options and seriously consider it. I love representing Northwest Florida and getting things done," Salzman stressed.