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After Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for U.S. Attorney General amid sexual misconduct allegations, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of Florida, for the position.
Gaetz stepped down after being under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct involving a 17-year-old and accusations of illicit drug use, all of which he has denied. Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019 and was actively involved in Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term, as reported by Reuters.
She also played a significant role in Trump’s defense during his first impeachment trial, where he faced charges related to withholding military aid to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden.
David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, stated, “She has an extensive prosecutorial career. Her qualifications are clear, especially compared to the previous nominee.”
Trump praised Bondi’s legal experience on social media, commenting, “For too long, the Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – that stops now.”
Bondi’s relationship with Trump began in 2013, when the Trump Foundation contributed $25,000 to a political committee supporting her re-election. This donation later stirred controversy when her office chose not to pursue action against Trump University, although Bondi denied any improper connection.
More recently, Bondi has been a staunch Trump supporter, overseeing legal efforts at the America First Policy Institute and backing Trump in his case involving classified documents.
Trump’s vision for the Justice Department includes focusing on immigration enforcement and shifting the Civil Rights Division’s agenda to defending religious freedoms while challenging diversity programs.
Bondi’s nomination presents a stark contrast to Gaetz, whose limited experience and ongoing controversies made his confirmation unlikely.
