Trump selects loyalist Pam Bondi as Attorney General after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration amid ongoing controversy surrounding a federal sex trafficking investigation, which raised significant doubts about his chances of being confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Although Gaetz has adamantly denied the allegations, his nomination shocked many seasoned professionals within the Justice Department. With minimal legal experience and a brief career as a practicing attorney, his qualifications were widely questioned. In contrast, Bondi brings years of legal expertise to the table, along with a quality Trump values above all else: unwavering loyalty.

Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s new nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Justice, is widely recognized not only as Florida’s first female attorney general but also as a staunch ally of the former president in recent years.

Trump announced Bondi's nomination on Thursday, just hours after his initial pick, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration amid mounting Republican opposition due to sexual misconduct allegations.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States. Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals,” Trump stated on Truth Social.

Bondi, 59, has been a key figure in Trump’s orbit. She served as a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank founded by former Trump administration officials, and was part of his first presidential transition team. During Trump’s first term, she was also considered for a high-profile role in his administration.

Advisers reportedly suggested Bondi as a strong alternative to Gaetz, citing her broad support within the Republican Party and her deep connections in Trump’s inner circle, according to sources referenced by The Guardian.

Before stepping onto the national political stage, Bondi spent over 18 years as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office. A political newcomer at the time, she made history by becoming Florida’s first female attorney general in 2010, backed by endorsements from prominent figures like former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.