Trump picks Pam Bondi for A-G after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Former Florida attorney-general tapped to head Justice Department

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NEW YORK - US President-elect Donald Trump said he is nominating former Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi to run the US Department of Justice, after his first pick, former US representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration.

A fierce defender of the former president, Ms. Bondi, 59, has repeated Trump's claims that the department's investigations of his conduct have been laced with politics. If confirmed for the role by the US Senate, she would oversee everything from defending controversial government policies in court to doling out billions of dollars in federal grants.

With Ms. Bondi, Trump would get an experienced conservative lawyer without the political and legal baggage that forced Mr. Gaetz to bow out earlier on Nov. 21.

The President-elect has said he will push for a radical transformation of the Justice Department, which has more than 115,000 employees.

"Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and making America safe again," Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social platform on Nov. 21. "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!"

Ms. Bondi has been a loyal Trump ally for years. In 2020, she served on Trump's legal defense team during his first impeachment trial. Trump ultimately was acquitted of allegations that he abused his power by withholding military aid from Ukraine to pressure government officials to help undermine his then political rival in the presidential contest, Mr. Joe Biden.