Trump's Short List for Attorney General: Who Are They?

As he prepares for his second term in January, President-elect Donald Trump has swiftly appointed key White House and Cabinet officials to his administration.

The identity of Trump's Justice Department head remains uncertain.

At least one top White House adviser from Trump's first term, along with sitting U.S. senators and former Justice Department personnel, are early contenders for the post.

Despite their diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, all candidates for the position possess a common trait: their loyalty to the president-elect and their commitment to supporting his agenda and policies during the next four years.

The U.S. is awaiting a formal announcement from the president-elect regarding the appointment of the next attorney general. Some of the top names being considered for this position include.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah

A more conventional choice for head of the Justice Department is Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who is a high-ranking Republican in the Senate and would likely face an easier path to confirmation compared to some of the more contentious names that have emerged.

But he may not be gunning for the role.

Last week, the Utah Republican informed reporters that although he has been conversing frequently with Trump's transition team, he intends to concentrate his efforts in the Republican-majority Senate on promoting support for Trump's Cabinet nominees and participating in the election for the Senate majority leader, in which Lee, as the current chair of the Senate Steering Committee, is expected to play a significant role.

"In an interview with the Deseret News, Lee stated that he has the job he desires and is eager to work in the next Congress alongside President Trump and his team to implement their agenda and the reform agenda that the Republicans have promised and campaigned on. He added that it will be an exhilarating time, and there is a lot of work to be done."

John Ratcliffe

John Ratcliffe, the former Director of National Intelligence, is being considered as a top contender for the position of head of the Justice Department.

During Trump's first term, Ratcliffe, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. representative from Texas, gained notoriety for his vocal opposition to the FBI and the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller.

In 2019, Trump appointed Ratcliffe to replace Coates as Director of National Intelligence. The next year, he was appointed by the outgoing president to be part of his impeachment team.

Mark Paoletta

During Trump's first term, Mark Paoletta served as counsel to Vice President Mike Pence and the Office of Management and Budget.

Paoletta is already working on the Trump transition team and has experience in steering Justice Department policy, making him a potential candidate for the role.

If appointed as the head of the Justice Department, Paoletta stated that he would not tolerate any opposition from career prosecutors and other non-political officials to Trump's agenda.

In a lengthy post on social media site X, Paoletta stated that career employees must implement the President's plan, regardless of their ethical or legal considerations, following an election.

"Paoletta stated that if DOJ employees do not implement President Trump's program in good faith, they should resign. He emphasized that those who resist Trump's agenda would be committing an act of "subverting American democracy" and could face "disciplinary measures, including termination.""

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey

Missouri Governor Mike Parson appointed Andrew Bailey as the state's Attorney General in 2022, after Eric Schmitt left to serve in the U.S. Senate. Bailey is now being considered for a leadership role at the Department of Justice.

Bailey has been at the forefront of legal battles against the Biden administration since assuming the state AG's office, while also advocating for conservative values.

As a possible U.S. attorney general, Bailey's lower-profile career could be an asset due to the role's requirement for Senate confirmation. Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, both Missouri Republicans who previously served as state attorney general before their Senate service, could aid him in this process.

If Bailey's name is considered for the Senate role, they could play a crucial part in supporting him.

Matt Whitaker

Matt Whitaker served as Acting Attorney General of the Justice Department after Jeff Sessions' removal during Trump's first term.

In a Planet Chronicle interview last week, Whitaker declined to answer when asked if he wanted the role, stating that the decision ultimately belonged to Trump.

"Whitaker stated that the individual he's looking for will be someone he knows, likes, and trusts. He added that this person should have been present from the beginning and be able to defend against the "lawfare nonsense" that Whitaker described."

The Justice Department candidate list for the Trump transition team was not immediately disclosed by Planet Chronicle.