US President-elect Donald Trump has selected seasoned prosecutor Pam Bondi as his new attorney general, hours after Matt Gaetz pulled his name from consideration .
Bondi has extensive experience in law enforcement and previously served as Florida’s attorney general .
The 59-year-old is a long-time Trump supporter who supported him in his first Senate impeachment hearing .
Losing his initial candidate, Gaetz, to lead the Justice Department is a setback for Trump, but his new nominee should have a smoother ride with senators who must approve the position.
“Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida families,” Trump said in a social media post announcing his decision .
Bondi has been close to Trump since his 2016 campaign, describing him as a “friend” to voters at a recent Trump event .
In 2019, she joined his White House to focus on “proactive impeachment messaging,” acting as both his legal advisor and defence attorney during his first impeachment, which resulted in his acquittal.
She remained a member of Trump’s legal team in 2020, while it falsely claimed that the election had been stolen from him due to voter fraud.
She also worked on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and, more recently, oversaw the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank created by senior Trump administration officials.
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If confirmed by the Senate, Bondi will be the country’s chief law enforcement official, overseeing the justice department’s more than 115,000 personnel and $45 billion (£35.7 billion) budget.
She would also play a significant role in seeking to carry out Trump’s promise to punish his political opponents once he gets office.
She has been a vociferous critic of the criminal cases filed against Trump, as well as special counsel Jack Smith, who charged him in two federal cases.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump posted on Thursday evening.
Pam will refocus the DOJ [Department of Justice] on its intended mission of combating crime and making America safe again.
Trump’s other ideas for the department include putting an end to “weaponised government,” securing US borders, dismantling criminal groups, and rebuilding Americans’ “badly shattered faith and confidence” in the department.
If confirmed by the Senate, Bondi will become the country’s top law enforcement official, in charge of the justice department’s more than 115,000 employees and $45 billion (£35.7 billion) budget.
She would also play an important role in enforcing Trump’s promise to punish his political opponents once he takes office.
She has been an outspoken critic of the criminal prosecutions brought against Trump, as well as special counsel Jack Smith, who charged him in two federal cases.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponised against me and other Republicans – not anymore,” Trump tweeted on Thursday evening.
Pam will refocus the DOJ [Department of Justice] on its original duty of fighting crime and keeping America safe again.
The report contained the results of an investigation prompted by allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug usage. Gaetz has categorically refuted the allegations, but has stated that he hopes to avoid a “needlessly protracted Washington scuffle” by quitting.
Later on Thursday, Gaetz congratulated Bondi, calling her “a stellar selection by President Trump”.
It is unknown whether Gaetz, who resigned from his House seat shortly after Trump nominated him for attorney general, will now seek reelection.
Since his stunning election victory earlier this month, Trump has appointed several close associates to high-level jobs in his cabinet.
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Anthony Zurcher, a North America correspondent: analyses the presidential election in his twice-weekly US Election Unspun. UK readers can sign up here. Those outside the United Kingdom can join up here.