President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general signals a rough road ahead for major technology firms during his second administration.

Gaetz had been a fierce critic of Big Tech throughout his time in Congress, teaming up with Democrats and praising Biden administration efforts to rein in the power of the industry

While Gaetz faces serious questions about his ability to be confirmed, experts say his stint at the Justice Department would bring another four years of heavy scrutiny on the tech giants.

“If I were Big Tech, I would be very concerned about his track record on antitrust enforcement and his general view against Big Tech and big business,” said Kellie Lerner, managing partner at antitrust law firm Shinder Cantor Lerner.

“He kind of takes the Republican stance against big government and morphs that into an overall distaste for big business, with a particular focus on Big Tech,” she noted.

Trump announced his pick to lead the Justice Department last Wednesday — a decision that was met with surprise on Capitol Hill.

Gaetz was previously investigated by the Justice Department as part of a sex-trafficking probe and was facing a House Ethics Committee investigation over alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

The Florida Republican resigned just hours after receiving the attorney general nod, halting the ethics investigation in its tracks. The committee was initially scheduled to vote Friday on whether to release a report about Gaetz, but later cancelled the meeting.

Gaetz’s nomination has also sparked concerns about Trump’s plans for the Justice Department, which is viewed as a........

© The Hill