President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, following Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration due to scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.
Trump announced the decision in a social media post, praising Bondi as someone who will “refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime and Making America Safe Again.” He stated that he has been looking for someone with years of legal work experience like Bondi’s, who also values loyalty above all else.
Gaetz had previously expressed his willingness to serve as Attorney General but stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The allegations against Gaetz cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer, despite his vehement denials.
Bondi has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump and has previously called Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith “horrible” people trying to make names for themselves by targeting Trump. As attorney general, Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement, and the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.
The selection comes as part of Trump’s tumultuous decision-making process, with some of his nominees facing criticism for questionable character and credentials. Trump has been seeking to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz.
However, even in Trump’s world, things are moving fast, and the administration is expected to be in place quickly. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gaetz-trump-fbi-justice-department-248b46ba0c882dd46d661568e8bd3bd7