President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General. The move follows the withdrawal of Trump’s initial nominee, Matt Gaetz, amid controversy. Gaetz, a former congressman, was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged involvement with a 17-year-old girl and drug use, accusations he denies.
Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, overseeing the nation’s third most populous state. She also worked on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term and was part of his defense team during his first impeachment trial, where he was acquitted by the Senate. Recently, Bondi led legal efforts at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank closely aligned with Trump’s policy agenda.
Unlike Gaetz, Bondi’s extensive legal background has drawn praise. David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Florida, noted, “She has spent her life prosecuting cases and has the resume for the job.” Her selection may face less opposition in the Senate compared to Gaetz, whose nomination had sparked bipartisan concerns.
Trump, announcing the pick on social media, highlighted Bondi’s prosecutorial experience and her reputation as a tough-on-crime leader during her tenure as Florida’s first female attorney general. Bondi’s nomination reflects Trump’s swift effort to stabilize his incoming administration and appoint a candidate with traditional credentials for the nation’s top law enforcement role.
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