The Daily Star Ireland
US President-elect Donald Trump has selected prominent government lawyer Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorney general, following Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration.
Bondi has an extensive background in law enforcement, having served as Florida’s attorney general. A long-time Trump ally, she was part of his legal team during his first Senate impeachment trial and publicly defended him during his hush money case in New York.
In his announcement on social media, Trump praised Bondi for her nearly 20-year career in law enforcement, highlighting her efforts to combat violent crime and ensure the safety of Florida families.
Bondi has been close to Trump since his 2016 campaign, referring to him as a friend at a recent rally. In 2019, she joined the White House to focus on “proactive impeachment messaging,” serving as both a legal advisor and defense attorney during Trump’s first impeachment, where he was acquitted.
She continued to support Trump in 2020 by challenging the election results, alleging voter fraud. Bondi also served on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and recently led the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank established by former Trump staff members.
If confirmed by the Senate, Bondi will become the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, overseeing the Justice Department with over 115,000 employees and a budget of approximately $45 billion. She will play a key role in implementing Trump’s promises to take action against his political opponents once he assumes office.
Bondi has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump and special counsel Jack Smith, who charged Trump in two federal cases. Trump has accused the Department of Justice of being weaponized against him and other Republicans, a stance Bondi is expected to address by refocusing the DOJ on its original mission of fighting crime and ensuring public safety.
Trump’s other plans for the department include ending the use of government for political purposes, protecting US borders, dismantling criminal organizations, and restoring public trust in the DOJ.
The Trump transition team anticipates that Bondi’s nomination will face less opposition than Gaetz’s. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed confidence in Bondi’s swift confirmation, calling her selection a “grand slam” and other sports analogies to signify a strong choice.
Bondi’s nomination was announced six hours after Gaetz withdrew his name, following debates over whether to release a congressional report on sexual misconduct allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination had caused concern in Washington and within the Justice Department, which had previously investigated him for sex trafficking before dropping the case.
In his withdrawal announcement, Gaetz acknowledged that the controversy surrounding his potential nomination had become an unnecessary distraction for the incoming Trump administration. He also faced allegations of illicit drug use, which were included in the investigation report.
Despite the controversy, Trump had continued to support Gaetz, even attending a SpaceX rocket launch in Texas with him. However, Gaetz ultimately decided to step aside to avoid a prolonged confirmation battle.
After Gaetz’s withdrawal, he congratulated Bondi, calling her a “stellar selection” and a “tested and trusted lawyer” who would bring much-needed reform to the DOJ.
It remains unclear whether Gaetz, who resigned his House seat following his nomination, will seek to regain his position.
Since his decisive election victory earlier this month, Trump has appointed many of his close supporters to high-ranking positions in his administration.
