United States President-elect, Donald Trump, announced on Thursday his intent to nominate Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, as his choice to lead the Department of Justice.
The decision comes after Matt Gaetz, his original pick, withdrew his name from consideration due to persistent controversy surrounding a federal sex trafficking investigation.
Bondi, a longtime supporter and defender of Trump, is no stranger to high-profile legal battles.
She gained national attention as one of Trump’s lawyers during his first impeachment trial, where he was accused—though ultimately acquitted—of pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, who was then a potential rival in the 2020 presidential election.
More recently, Bondi made headlines as part of the Republican entourage that showed public support for Trump during his New York hush money trial, which concluded with a conviction on 34 felony counts.
Trump took to social media to announce the nomination, expressing confidence in Bondi’s ability to realign the Justice Department’s priorities.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans—Not anymore,” Trump declared. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
The withdrawal of Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, followed mounting scrutiny over allegations of sex trafficking. Though Gaetz has consistently denied the accusations, the cloud of controversy made his confirmation as attorney general increasingly untenable.
His nomination also raised eyebrows within the Justice Department due to his lack of substantial legal experience, despite holding a law degree.
Gaetz, known for his polarizing persona, cited the need to avoid distraction for the administration in his resignation statement.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”
In a separate post, Trump praised Gaetz for his efforts, stating, “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Bondi’s nomination signals a return to trusted allies for Trump. A vocal critic of the legal cases against the former president, Bondi has consistently defended Trump’s actions and lashed out at Justice Department officials.
During a recent radio appearance, she accused special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors of pursuing Trump for personal gain.
Bondi’s confirmation prospects appear promising, with influential Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham endorsing her selection.
Graham hailed the nomination as a “grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick.”
If confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Bondi would likely become one of the most scrutinized members of Trump’s Cabinet, particularly as concerns grow about the Justice Department being molded to advance Trump’s agenda.
During his presidency, Trump openly used the DOJ to target political adversaries, including demands to investigate Hillary Clinton and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
With Bondi at the helm, many anticipate significant shifts in the department’s priorities, including changes to civil rights enforcement, corporate regulation, and cases involving January 6 Capitol riot defendants.
Trump has previously pledged to pardon individuals charged in connection to the riot.
Bondi’s legal and political history is not without blemishes. In 2013, she faced accusations of accepting a $25,000 donation from Trump while her office was considering a fraud investigation into Trump University.
Although the allegations were dismissed in 2017 due to insufficient evidence, the incident remains a point of contention.
That same year, Bondi apologized for postponing the execution of a convicted murderer to attend a campaign fundraiser, a decision she later called a mistake.
While Gaetz sought Senate support for his nomination, fresh allegations emerged, complicating his efforts.
An attorney representing two women, Joel Leppard, claimed his clients testified to the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, including encounters involving a 17-year-old girl in 2017.
These claims have cast uncertainty over Gaetz’s political future, though he remains resolute.
“I look forward to continuing the fight to save our country. Just maybe from a different post,” Gaetz wrote in a pointed message to the incoming vice president.
Trump’s pivot from Gaetz to Bondi exemplifies the chaotic nature of his decision-making as he scrambles to finalize his Cabinet picks.
Despite a more structured campaign for the White House this year, the whirlwind transitions and controversial nominations foreshadow the drama that could define Trump’s return to the Oval Office.
Bondi’s confirmation would mark a significant moment in Trump’s second administration, with her leadership set to steer the Justice Department in a markedly different direction.