On the evening of Thursday, US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Pam Bondi to serve as the next Attorney General.
"Pam Bondi will redirect the Department of Justice towards its primary objective of combating crime and restoring safety to America," President Trump stated on various social media platforms.
This nomination occurred shortly after the withdrawal of the previous nominee, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, from the selection process on Thursday. Gaetz's departure was precipitated by mounting opposition, notably from within his own Republican Party, due to allegations of involvement in sex trafficking.
"While the support was substantial, it has become evident that my confirmation has been overshadowing the essential tasks of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz articulated.
Bondi's tenure as Florida's first female Attorney General from 2011 to 2019 positions her as a more traditional candidate in comparison to Gaetz, who lacks prosecutorial experience.
Furthermore, Bondi is a dedicated supporter of President Trump, endorsing him in various capacities throughout his tenure. She has contributed to his legal team during his first Senate impeachment trial, advocated for the delegitimization of voting in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, attended his trial for hush money in New York, and led the legal department of the America First Policy Institute, a think-tank established by former Trump administration officials.
"For far too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been used against me and my Republican colleagues — that era is over," President Trump declared.
