President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named longtime ally Pam Bondi as his new choice for attorney general, capping a tumultuous week for previous pick Matt Gaetz.
Bondi’s elevation came just hours after Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration following increased scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct.
If confirmed, Bondi would lead the Justice Department and set the agenda for federal investigations and prosecutions. Trump's pick for the nation's top law enforcement official comes as some of his critics fear he will use his administration to seek retribution against them.
"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore," Trump said on Truth Social. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again."
Trump also praised her work against “the trafficking of deadly drugs.” Bondi, who was Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, previously worked on a Trump commission focused on ending the opioid crisis and combating drug addiction.
She is currently a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, where she chairs the company's corporate regulatory compliance practice, according to the firm's website.
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Bondi has long ties to Trump. During the 2016 Republican National Convention, she joined in “lock her up” chants aimed at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and she was then part of Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial.
After Trump lost the 2020 election, Bondi was involved in efforts to overturn the results, falsely claiming that Trump had “won Pennsylvania” at a news conference in Philadelphia.
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Trump and Bondi's ties have previously faced accusations of impropriety, which both have denied. In 2013, Trump's foundation made a $25,000 donation to a campaign group affiliated with Bondi when she was Florida attorney general. The donation reportedly came around the same time that Bondi's office was asked about looking into fraud allegations against Trump University.
Bondi did not open a case against Trump. He paid a $2,500 fine to the IRS after an ethics group said the foundation's donation to the campaign group had not been disclosed to tax officials.
As attorney general, Bondi would lead the Justice Department, which houses the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Prisons and has more than 115,000 employees.
The attorney general position requires confirmation by the Senate.
Gaetz praised Trump’s announcement on X, calling Bondi “a stellar selection.”
“She’s a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans,” he said. “She will bring the needed reforms to DOJ.”
When Gaetz announced earlier Thursday that he was withdrawing his name from consideration, he argued that his "confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
Gaetz faces allegations that include having sex with a 17-year-old girl. He has denied the accusations against him.
Trump praised Gaetz on Truth Social, saying Thursday that he "has a wonderful future."
Initial reactions to Bondi's selection were more positive among Senate Republicans than when Trump tapped Gaetz.
"Picking Pam Bondi for Attorney General is a grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on X.
Graham is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold confirmation hearings for the attorney general nominee.
Some of Trump's picks for top administration posts have already faced headwinds.
Pete Hegseth, whom Trump wants for defense secretary, faces an allegation of sexual assault, while critics have accused of Tulsi Gabbard, his choice for director of national intelligence, of spreading pro-Russia propaganda. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick to serve as secretary of health and human services, has faced criticism both for his anti-vaccine activism and his previous stances in support of abortion rights.
Trump has been engaged with senators as he seeks to get his Cabinet picks confirmed in the new Congress, when Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Following Gaetz's withdrawal, the president-elect has met with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., at his Mar-a-Lago residence, according to two sources familiar with the meetings.
Bondi is the latest in a series of Trump picks who have roots in Florida. Incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles helped lead Trump's campaign efforts in the state during the 2016 election, and Sen. Marco Rubio, who Trump tapped for secretary of state, has represented Florida in the Senate since 2011.
Trump also named Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser.
The posts for Wiles and Waltz do not require Senate confirmation.
Trump appointments and nominees
Here are some of the people that President-elect Donald Trump has named for high-profile positions in his administration. Positions in orange require Senate confirmation.
Source: NBC News
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