Donald Trump names new attorney-general pick as Pam Bondi after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Donald Trump has nominated former Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz after his previous pick withdrew amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Former Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi has replaced Matt Gaetz as Donald Trump’s pick as federal Attorney-General. Picture: AFP.

Donald Trump has announced a new pick to lead the Department of Justice, revealing former ­Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi as his next selection to serve as the US first law officer.

Ms Bondi is the second person to be nominated for the job after Mr Trump’s first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from contention earlier on Thursday (Friday AEDT). An investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, ­illicit drug use and bribery against him had been conducted by the house ethics committee.

While the committee decided not to release its report, the findings were widely expected to be damaging for Mr Gaetz, and his withdrawal heightens questions over the credibility of Mr Trump’s pick for defence secretary, Fox News TV host Pete Hegseth.

Mr Hegseth faces his own allegations of sexual misconduct ­relating to a 2017 incident. Mr Trump’s transition team was blindsided after Monterey city police in California released a ­report during the week about the allegations. A redacted version of the report had previously been ­released to Mr Hegseth on March 30, 2021.

Posting on Truth Social, the president-elect said on Thursday that Ms Bondi was “a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida families”.

I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance…

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024

Looming over Mr Gaetz’s nomination was the years-long ­investigation by the ethics committee into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery allegations against him, all of which he has denied.

The committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, voted along partisan lines not to release its report into Mr Gaetz this week. But senators from both sides of politics had been arguing to see the investigation to assist the confirmation process.

On Thursday, Mr Gaetz issued a statement saying he had “excellent meetings” with Republicans on Capitol Hill and vice-president-elect JD Vance the previous day. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as attorney-general. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on day one,” he said. “I ­remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful president in history.”

Thank you President Trump! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/P8ey92elYH

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024

“Then, as Florida’s first female attorney-general, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of fentanyl overdose deaths, which have destroyed many families across our country,” he said.

“She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first term.”

Mr Gaetz lasted fewer than 10 days as Mr Trump’s nominee, after he was unveiled by the president-elect on November 13 as somebody who would “end weaponised government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organisations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department”.

Matt Gaetz with JD Vance in the Senate. Picture: Getty Images.

Mr Trump also issued a statement declaring that he greatly ­appreciated the “recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be attorney-general”.

While the Trump transition team remains behind Mr Hegseth, the report released by Monterey police has intensified concerns.

Republican sources were already briefing the media on Thursday that Mr Hegseth was in danger of losing the confidence of Mr Trump, although the transition team was standing behind him.

Thank you President Trump! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/P8ey92elYH

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024

The 22-page police report, which cites video surveillance footage, texts and interviews with witnesses, offers a detailed but often conflicting portrayal of events leading up to the alleged assault. It also reveals police involvement was sparked by a request from the woman for a sexual ­assault examination at a hospital four days after the encounter. At the time, she told the nurse she believed something had been slipped into her drink before the incident.

Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defence, Pete Hegseth, in Washington. Picture: Getty Images

No charges were filed against Mr Hegseth. Meeting with ­Republican senators in Capitol Hill with Senator Vance, Mr Hegseth told the media the 2017 matter was “fully investigated and I was completely cleared”.

With the Republicans commanding a slim 53-47 majority in the new Senate, the party can ­afford to lose only three votes in the confirmation process if all Democrats are opposed to a nominee.

Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, has her doubt about Robert kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard. Picture: AFP

There are also questions looming over two other picks by Mr Trump: Robert Kennedy Jr as his top health official and Tulsi Gabbard as his choice for national ­intelligence director.

Former US ambassador to the UN and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has already been making a case for why neither Ms Gabbard nor Mr Kennedy should be confirmed.