Trump Announces New Attorney General After Gaetz Withdrawal

President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick for U.S. attorney general on Thursday.

In the announcement posted on Truth Social, Trump praised Bondi’s work against “the trafficking of deadly drugs.” Trump’s selection came just hours after Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration.

“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore,” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”

Trump highlighted Bondi’s nearly two decades as a prosecutor, emphasizing her tough stance on violent crime that helped make Florida’s streets safer. As Florida’s first female attorney general, she confronted the opioid crisis, targeted drug trafficking and reduced the devastating toll of fentanyl-related deaths.

Trump also noted Bondi’s exceptional efforts during his first term, which earned her a role on the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission, further showcasing her dedication to saving lives, according to the announcement. (RELATED: CNN’s Scott Jennings Says Matt Gaetz Nomination Was ‘Bridge Too Far’ Given ‘Fraught Relationships On The Hill’)

Gaetz announced early Thursday that he was withdrawing from consideration for attorney general. He stated on X that his nomination had “unfairly become a distraction” to Trump’s transition efforts.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].