Washington, Nov 22 – President-elect Donald Trump has announced Florida’s former Attorney General, Pam Bondi, as his nominee for U.S. Attorney General. The announcement came hours after Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial choice, withdrew his name following controversy over allegations of sexual misconduct.
“Today, I am proud to announce Pam Bondi as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said in a statement on Thursday. He praised Bondi’s two decades of experience as a prosecutor and her tenure as Florida’s first female Attorney General, during which she tackled violent crime and led efforts to combat drug trafficking and the Fentanyl crisis.
“Pam will refocus the Department of Justice on fighting crime and Making America Safe Again. She is smart, tough, and an AMERICA FIRST Fighter,” Trump stated, adding that Bondi would help restore the DOJ’s integrity after alleging it had been weaponized against Republicans.
Gaetz, a former Congressman, withdrew his nomination earlier in the day, citing concerns that his confirmation process had become a distraction. “While the momentum was strong, it’s clear my confirmation was unfairly becoming a needless distraction from the critical work of the Trump Transition,” Gaetz wrote on social media.
He emphasized his ongoing commitment to Trump’s vision, stating, “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me and remain committed to his success as our President.”
Trump acknowledged Gaetz’s withdrawal and praised his dedication. “Matt has a bright future ahead, and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will accomplish,” he said.
The nomination of Bondi signals Trump’s intent to reshape the Department of Justice as part of his administration’s broader agenda.