Trump taps Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz saga
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Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) speaks during a press conference while on a break from President-elect Trump's hush money trial outside Manhattan Criminal Court in May in New York City. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
President-elect Trump said Thursday he will nominate Pam Bondi for attorney general, after his previous pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), withdrew his name from consideration.
The big picture: The attorney general could be one of the most important roles in the second Trump White House. The president-elect has made clear his desire to have a loyalist in the nation's highest law enforcement role to carry out his agenda, which could include investigating adversaries.
- Republican lawmakers expressed aversion and disdain for Trump's initial choice of the scandal-prone Gaetz for the nation's highest law enforcement role.
Zoom in: Gaetz on Thursday evening praised the president-elect for picking Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and a longtime Trump ally who led the America First Policy Institute.
- "Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families," Trump said on his TruthSocial platform.
- "Then, as Florida's first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many families across our Country. She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first Term — We saved many lives!" he added.
"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. 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!"— Excerpt from President-elect Trump's post
What's next: Bondi will need the backing of at least 50 senators to get confirmed when the new administration takes office. The candidate can only afford to lose three Senate Republicans' votes.
Why it matters: The person confirmed by the Senate to be attorney general will help lead the implementation of Trump's agenda and steer any efforts to investigate — and prosecute — the president-elect's enemies, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.
Catch up quick: Gaetz withdrew on Nov. 21 as Trump's choice for attorney general after being dogged by allegations of sexual impropriety and drug use.
- The highly controversial pick's path to confirmation was becoming "a distraction" to the White House transition, Gaetz said.
- Gaetz bowed out a day after the House Ethics Committee — which was investigating him over allegations of sex trafficking, corruption and drug use — voted against releasing a report of its findings. The report stemmed from allegations of sexual misconduct with minors.
- The Ethics committee was later notified of a second sexual encounter between Gaetz and a woman who was 17 at the time, CNN reported. The outlet said his withdrawal from AG consideration came after they asked him for comment about the incident.
- The woman testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, per CNN.
- Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
What he's saying: Gaetz said on X that Trump had made a "stellar" selection with Bondi.
- "Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida's Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house," he said.
- "She's a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans. She will bring the needed reforms to DOJ."
More from Axios:
- Congress breathes sigh of relief as Gaetz withdraws AG bid
- What to know about Matt Gaetz
- What to know about the sexual misconduct allegations against Matt Gaetz
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Rep. Matt Gaetz.
