The newly elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced his new choice on Thursday evening Attorney General Pam is Bond.
Bondi was previously Florida’s attorney general.
The announcement came a few hours after former US Rep. Matt Gaetz. withdrawn from consideration.
“For too long, the partisan Justice Department has been armed against me and other Republicans — not anymore,” Trump T said aboutrut Social. “Pam will lead DOJ on its mission to fight crime and make America safe again.”
Trump also praised his work against the “deadly drug trade.” Bondi previously served on a Trump commission focused on ending the opioid crisis and fighting drug addiction.
Bondi is a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners and leads the firm’s corporate regulatory compliance practice. the firm’s website.
The position of Attorney General must be approved by the Senate.
Bondi has a longstanding relationship with Trump. At the 2016 Republican National Convention, attended he was part of Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, with his “lock her up” chants aimed at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
After Trump lost the 2020 election, Bondi became involved in efforts to overturn the results. falsely claims “He won Pennsylvania,” Trump said at a press conference in Philadelphia.
As attorney general, Bondi would lead the Justice Department, which houses the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Prisons and has more than 115,000 employees.
Gaetz He appreciated Trump’s statement At X, Bondi called it “a great choice”.
“She is a proven litigator, an inspirational leader and a champion for all Americans,” he said. “He will bring much-needed reforms to the DOJ.”
early Thursday, Gaetz announced he said he declined to be considered for attorney general, arguing that his “confirmation unfairly became a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition.”
Gaetz faced allegations, including having sex with a 17-year-old girl. He denied the charges.
After Trump withdrew, he praised Gaetz on Truth Social, saying he “has a great future.”
Initial reactions It was Bondi’s choice more positive More among Senate Republicans than when Trump tapped Gaetz.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., said in X: “Electing Pam Bondi for attorney general is a grand slam, a touchdown, a hall of fame, an ace, a hat trick, a slam dunk, an Olympic gold medal.”
Graham is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold confirmation hearings for the attorney general nominee.
Some of Trump’s picks for top administration posts have already faced controversy.
Pete Hegsett, who Trump wants to be the secretary of defense facing the claim during sexual assault critics have charged Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, spread pro-Russian propaganda. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for secretary of health and human services, has faced criticism for both his anti-vaccination activism and his previous positions in support of abortion rights.
Ryan J. Reilly and Ken Dilanian contributed.