Richard Parks Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been named by Donald Trump as his new pick for U.S. Attorney General, following Representative Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from the nomination process. Gaetz stepped aside after Senate Republicans expressed strong opposition to his candidacy, citing a series of sexual misconduct allegations.
Bondi’s appointment comes as part of Trump’s continued effort to place loyal allies in key government roles. Although she had not been actively seeking the position, Bondi’s history as a staunch defender of Trump made her an appealing choice. Her long-standing support for the former president, including her involvement in his first impeachment defense and her continued advocacy throughout the 2020 and 2024 campaigns, made her a more secure option compared to Gaetz, who faced significant resistance within the Senate.
Trump made the announcement via a post on Truth Social, where he praised Bondi’s extensive background as a prosecutor. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals,” Trump said, emphasizing her qualifications and stating that she would refocus the Department of Justice on fighting crime and ensuring safety.
Should Bondi be confirmed by the Senate, it would be a reward for her unwavering loyalty to Trump over the years, beginning during his 2016 campaign. Bondi also assisted in defending him during the impeachment trial and continued to back his claims regarding the 2020 election fraud narrative.
The path to Bondi’s nomination was marked by a swift change in direction after Trump initially considered other candidates. The list of potential nominees included figures like Mark Paoletta, former White House counsel, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, and Robert Guiffra, co-chair of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. However, after Trump’s initial pick, Gaetz, struggled to gain support from Senate Republicans, including figures such as Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski, the former president quickly pivoted to Bondi as a more agreeable choice.
In a rare moment of political realism, Trump informed Gaetz that he lacked sufficient support for confirmation and suggested he withdraw. Gaetz, acknowledging the challenges, agreed to step aside.
Trump expressed gratitude for Gaetz’s efforts, thanking him for his commitment to the nomination but acknowledging that the political hurdles were too great. Gaetz, for his part, acknowledged that key Republican senators would not back his confirmation, forcing his exit from the process.