WASHINGTON – Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next U.S. attorney general, following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz’s controversial nomination.
Trump announced his decision late Thursday, praising Bondi’s extensive legal background and her record of protecting public safety.
“Pam served as a prosecutor for nearly two decades, taking a firm stance against violent criminals and ensuring safer streets for Florida families,” Trump stated. “As Florida’s first female Attorney General, she led efforts to combat drug trafficking and tackle the devastating impact of fentanyl overdose deaths across our nation.”
Bondi, 59, is a longtime ally of Trump and has played key roles in his political and legal endeavors. She served as one of his defense attorneys during his first impeachment trial and was part of the president’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission. During Trump’s latest campaign, Bondi acted as a surrogate and demonstrated unwavering support for the former president, including attending his hush-money trial in New York earlier this year.
Her eight-year tenure as Florida’s attorney general, from 2011 to 2019, was marked by groundbreaking initiatives, including her fight against opioid abuse and human trafficking. Bondi’s extensive experience in law enforcement is expected to ease her Senate confirmation process, a significant contrast to her predecessor nominee.
Gaetz Withdraws Amid Controversy
Earlier Thursday, Matt Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, withdrew his nomination for the role of attorney general amid ongoing controversies and allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Department of Justice had previously investigated Gaetz over claims that he paid a 17-year-old girl for sex and facilitated her travel across state lines. Although federal prosecutors dropped the case without charges, the House Ethics Committee was continuing to examine these and other allegations.
The bipartisan committee was reportedly preparing to vote on whether to release findings from its investigation when Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last week. Witnesses testified before the committee, with one alleging Gaetz was under the influence of drugs while engaging in inappropriate behavior with the minor. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations, but he stepped back from the nomination, citing the potential distraction it posed for Trump’s transition team.
Revitalizing the DOJ
If confirmed, Bondi will take the helm of a Justice Department with over 100,000 employees spanning a wide range of critical responsibilities. The department prosecutes federal crimes, enforces civil rights and antitrust laws, and oversees agencies like the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Trump expressed confidence in Bondi’s leadership, criticizing what he referred to as the partisan weaponization of the DOJ.
“For too long, the Justice Department has been used against me and other Republicans. That ends now,” Trump declared. “Pam will realign the DOJ’s focus on its true mission: fighting crime and making America safe again. She’s smart, tough, and an ‘America First’ fighter who will excel as Attorney General.”
Bondi’s nomination reflects Trump’s vision for a stronger and more streamlined DOJ, aimed at addressing key issues like crime, drug abuse, and public safety with renewed vigor.