Pam Bondi is a longtime Donald Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he’s chosen Pam Bondi, Florida’s former attorney general, as his pick for the next U.S. attorney general. This decision comes just hours after his initial nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration.Pam Bondi's nomination comes after the original pick for attorney general, Republican Matt Gaetz withdrew his name due to an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation against him.
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,” said Gaetz.
“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," he added. In a post on social media he indicated that he would continue to fight for the country but from a different position.
Who is Pam Bondi?
Pam Bondi, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, served as one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial. The trial centered on accusations that Trump tried to condition U.S. military aid to Ukraine on the country launching an investigation into Joe Biden, who was vice president at the time.
Pam Bondi has also led the America First Policy Institute, a think tank created by former members of the Trump administration.
A Tampa native, Bondi made history as Florida's first female attorney general and brings 18 years of experience as a prosecutor to the table.
Donald Trump reacts to Matt Gaetz's withdrawal
Allegations against Matt Gaetz
Two women recently testified before the House Ethics Committee, alleging that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex multiple times starting in 2017 when he was a Florida congressman. They also accused him of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida that same year, which would amount to statutory rape since the state's age of consent is 18.
The women's lawyer stated, "They are grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives. They hope this brings closure for everyone involved."
Matt Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department wrapped up its investigation last year without filing charges against him.
Despite winning re-election to Congress in November, Gaetz announced his resignation in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, stating he would not take the oath of office.
Republicans on the House Ethics Committee have refused to release the panel's findings, a decision made in a split vote despite objections from Democrats. The committee is scheduled to meet again on December 5 to finalize the matter.
In a separate case, Peter Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense and a former Fox News anchor, is also facing sexual assault allegations. Hegseth has claimed he was previously investigated and cleared of any wrongdoing.