President-elect Donald Trump has named former friend and veteran prosecutor Pam Bondi as his pick for attorney general, hours after Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.
Bondi has a long history in law enforcement and previously served as Florida’s attorney general.
A loyal Trump ally, he was part of Trump’s legal team at the time his first Senate impeachment trial and publicly supported him by appearing in court on time his money test New York.
“Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safer for Florida families,” Trump said in a social media post announcing his choice.
If confirmed by the Senate, Bondi will become the country’s law enforcement chief, overseeing a justice department staff of more than 115,000 and a budget of about $45bn (£35.7bn).
“For too long, the federal Justice Department has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — not anymore,” Trump wrote Thursday evening.
“Pam will also focus on the DOJ [Department of Justice] with the goal of fighting crime, and making America safe again.”
Trump’s plans for the department include ending the “armed government”, protecting America’s borders, dismantling criminal organizations and restoring Americans’ “faith and confidence” that has been badly shattered in the department.
Trump’s transition team will be hoping that the path to Bondi’s nomination will be more turbulent than Gaetz’s.
Reacting to the announcement, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham predicted that Bondi would be “quickly confirmed,” calling his selection “a grand slam, a touchdown, a hole-in-one, an ace, a hat trick, a slam dunk, a gold medal pick.” Olympics.”
News of Bondi’s appointment came six hours after Gaetz said he would not seek a Cabinet position, following days of wrangling over whether to release a congressional report on sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Announcing his resignation, the 41-year-old student said the controversy surrounding his nomination was “unduly interfering” with the work of the Trump administration.
The report includes the findings of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. Gaetz denied the allegations but said he hoped to avoid “a protracted conflict in Washington” by withdrawing.
Later on Thursday, Gaetz congratulated Bondi, calling him “a great choice for President Trump”.
“He is a proven prosecutor, an inspirational leader and a champion for all Americans. He will bring the necessary reforms to the DOJ,” he said.
It is unclear whether Gaetz, who resigned his House seat shortly after Trump nominated him for attorney general, will now try to retain his seat.
Since winning his narrowly contested election earlier this month, Trump has called on several of his friends to fill top positions in his administration.
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