Trump Selects Partisan Pam Bondi as His Attorney General Nominee Following Matt Gaetz's Withdrawal
WASHINGTON (AP) – Following the withdrawal of his first pick, Matt Gaetz, from consideration due to sex trafficking charges, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will appoint former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to head the Justice Department, relying on a longstanding loyalist.
Trump said on social media, "The partisan Department of Justice has been used as a weapon against me and other Republicans for far too long. That is no longer the case." "Pam will bring the DOJ back to its core mission of combating crime and restoring America's safety."
Gaetz resigned in the midst of ongoing controversy surrounding a federal sex trafficking probe that raised questions about his suitability for the position of leading federal law enforcement officer in the country. Although Gaetz strongly refuted the accusations, many aspiring attorneys in the Justice Department were taken aback by his selection. Gaetz had very little relevant experience for the position, having passed the bar but hardly practicing law. Bondi has years of experience in the legal field and possesses loyalty, which is another quality that Trump values highly.
Gaetz's abrupt resignation and Bondi's swift change of heart were the most recent instances of Trump's turbulent decision-making, as he makes nominations at a dizzying rate, some of whom have dubious backgrounds and character, without the government scrutiny that is customary during presidential transitions. It's a sign that even though he ran the most well-organized presidential campaign this year, the drama that characterized his first term may return to the White House.
Donald Trump Jr., Trump's son, stated on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that the transition team had alternatives in mind for his contentious candidates in case they weren't confirmed.
However, even in Trump's universe, things happened quickly. Trump had been attempting to use his resounding election victory to pressure Senate Republicans into agreeing to controversial candidates like The choice may increase scrutiny of other contentious Trump candidates, such as Pentagon selection Pete Hegseth, who has denied accusations of sexual assault.
One day after meeting with senators to gain their support, Gaetz released a statement saying, "Even though the momentum was strong, it is evident that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
"I will be removing my name from consideration to be Attorney General because there is no time to squander on an unnecessary, drawn-out Washington squabble. On Day 1, Trump's DOJ needs to be operational and prepared," he continued.
In a social media post, Trump expressed his gratitude for Matt Gaetz's recent efforts to obtain clearance to serve as Attorney General. Although he was doing extremely well, he did not want to cause any trouble for the Administration, which he really admires. I'm excited to see all the amazing things Matt will accomplish in the future.
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