Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name.

Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social."

“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Trump wrote in his social media post. “I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!”

Bondil has been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers.

Bondi is from Tampa and spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor. She was Florida’s first female attorney general, serving from 2011 to 2019.

"Ann and I are thrilled for our great friend and our next Attorney General @PamBondi! For 8 years I worked alongside Pam to keep Florida safe, and I’m looking forward to working with her to keep our nation safe!" Sen. Rick Scott posted on X late Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Miami, posted a statement on X applauding the Bondi nomination:

"Amazing decision by President Trump to nominate Florida’s beloved former AG Pam Bondi as our nation’s next Attorney General! Pam Bondi is tough & has always upheld the rule of law. She’ll make history as the FIRST REPUBLICAN WOMAN to ever serve as America’s Attorney General!

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody tweeted: "Congratulations to my friend @Pam Bondi. Pam will be an excellent U.S. Attorney General."

Florida Democrats slammed Trump's nomination of Bondi.

“Americans dodged a bullet with Gaetz’s withdrawal but Trump’s second choice for Attorney General is no better,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a statement.

“Don’t forget — Pam Bondi tried to take healthcare away from millions of Floridians,” said Fried. “She was the ring leader in the attempt to sue the Affordable Care Act out of existence and overturn the pre-existing conditions rule.

“She filed the original suit and was the lead plaintiff on the case seeking to dismantle affordable care. When Donald Trump says he’s going to end the ACA, believe him now that he’s nominated Pam Bondi to finish the job.”

“Bondi’s nomination proves that the only qualification that matters to Trump is loyalty. Her confirmation would have devastating consequences for Floridians and the American people.”

Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.

The announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it.

Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him.

WLRN News Staff contributed to this story.