Trump chooses new candidate for position of US Attorney General after Gaetz declines
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Donald Trump, the winner of the US presidential election, has decided to nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to run the US Department of Justice. This decision follows the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz, the president-elect's initial candidate, from consideration for the role of Attorney General, reports Bloomberg.
According to Donald Trump, Pam Bondi will refocus the Department of Justice on its mission - fighting crime and restoring safety in America.
"I have known Pam for many years - She is smart and tough and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!" the president-elect stated on Truth Social.
If confirmed, Bondi will lead a department at the center of many of Trump’s key political initiatives, including plans to tighten immigration controls and enhance border security.
Trump has also pledged to revamp the Justice Department, which he has criticized for the two federal indictments brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith. These charges concern Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his unlawful retention of classified documents.
What is known about Pam Bondi
Pam Bondi, 59, is an American attorney and politician affiliated with the Republican Party. She served as the 37th Attorney General of Florida from 2011 to 2019, becoming the first woman elected to the position.
In 2020, Bondi was part of Donald Trump's defense team during his first impeachment trial.
By 2024, she had taken the helm of the legal division at the Policy Institute supporting Trump.
Pam Bondi (photo: wikipedia.org)
Withdrawal of Trump's candidate for Attorney General, Gaetz
Initially, Donald Trump chose Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his Attorney General for the upcoming administration.
However, US media reported that Trump might struggle to secure enough Senate votes for Gaetz's confirmation.
For Gaetz to assume the role, his appointment first needed approval from the Senate. It’s worth noting that Gaetz was previously the subject of a federal investigation into human trafficking, which concluded without charges. Additionally, the House of Representatives investigated allegations of his involvement in sexual misconduct with minors and illegal drug use.
On November 21, Gaetz announced he would no longer seek the Attorney General position following a thorough review by the House Ethics Committee regarding allegations of sexual misconduct.
