US president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to be attorney general of the United States, moving swiftly to replace former nominee Matt Gaetz after the embattled former congressman withdrew from consideration.
Mr Gaetz, who faced opposition from Senate Republicans, was the subject of a House ethics committee inquiry into allegations of having sex with an underage 17-year-old girl. He has denied wrongdoing.
Ms Bondi served as the top law enforcement officer of the country’s third-most populous state from 2011 to 2019. She served on Mr Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration.
Her resume contrasts with that of Mr Gaetz, who has little of the traditional experience expected of an attorney general. Ms Bondi would likely face less opposition from senators involved in the confirmation process.
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Trump picks Pam Bondi for US attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
Mr Trump announced his pick of Ms Bondi on social media, praising her for her prosecutorial experience and saying she was tough on crime as Florida’s first woman attorney general.
Mr Trump, who was elected on November 5th despite being the subject of multiple criminal investigations from US and state prosecutors, including a felony conviction in the state of New York, said she would end the politicisation of federal prosecutions.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponised against me and other Republicans – not any more,” Mr Trump said.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and making America safe again.” – Reuters