Donald Trump Taps Loyalist Pam Bondi for US Attorney General After Matt Gaetz Withdraws

US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as his choice for US attorney general, following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from consideration amid mounting controversy.

Bondi, a long-time Trump ally, previously served as one of his defence lawyers during his first impeachment trial, which centred on allegations that he misused his power to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. She also publicly backed Trump during his New York hush-money trial, which ended in May with Trump being convicted on 34 felony counts.

Announcing the decision on social media, Trump accused the Justice Department of political bias and said Bondi would restore its original mission. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponised against me and other Republicans — not anymore,” he said. “Pam will refocus the DOJ on fighting crime and making America safe again.”

Bondi has also held a senior leadership role at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank founded by former Trump administration officials and closely aligned with his political agenda.

Her nomination came shortly after Gaetz withdrew from the race amid concerns related to an ongoing federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking. Speaking after meetings with Republican senators, Gaetz said his confirmation process had become a distraction. “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,” he said, adding that he would continue his political work in another capacity.

Trump later praised Gaetz’s efforts, saying the former congressman had shown respect for the administration by stepping aside. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do,” Trump wrote.

The eight-day episode highlighted Trump’s push to leverage his election victory to secure Senate Republican backing for controversial nominees. Attention may now turn to other contested picks, including Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for a senior Pentagon role, who has denied allegations of sexual assault.

Separately, Trump has already appointed Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior positions within the Justice Department, while former acting attorney general Matt Whitaker has been nominated as US ambassador to NATO.