President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi for attorney general after his previous nominee, Matt Gaetz, was forced to withdraw in the face of strong opposition.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and loyal Trump ally, is seen as a more stable and established choice compared to the more controversial Gaetz.
Trump announced on November 13 that a former Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz, was his first choice for attorney general. Gaetz, a vocal and often controversial defender of Trump, immediately faced strong criticism during his nomination for attorney general. Officially, the opposition centered on past allegations of sexual assault and drug abuse – allegations that were the subject of a Congressional Ethics Committee investigation.
However, many observers believe that the real reason for the fierce opposition was Gaetz’s open criticism of US military and economic aid to Ukraine. His initiative for the “Ukraine Fatigue Resolution”, in which he proposed ending all aid to Ukraine and promoting a peaceful solution, was strongly criticized by Democrats and parts of the Republican establishment.
As a result, Gaetz lacked the support of several Republican senators, who questioned his suitability for the role. Under pressure from both political allies and opponents, Gaetz announced on November 21 that he was withdrawing his candidacy.
“It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition”, he wrote in a statement.
Fighting the opioid crisis and human trafficking
Shortly after Gaetz’s resignation announcement, Trump chose Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorney general. Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general between 2011 and 2019, was the state’s first female attorney general and distinguished herself by fighting the opioid crisis and strengthening the state’s anti-human trafficking laws.
Bondi also has experience as a lobbyist, working for both US and international clients, including a Christian anti-trafficking network and the Qatar government ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Unlike Gaetz, whose political career has been marked by polarizing culture war issues and confrontational rhetoric, Bondi is seen as a more traditional and pragmatic Republican leader. Her time as Attorney General of Florida was marked by concrete results, and she is seen as having the ability to build broader support within the party.
Bondi has also been a loyal part of Trump’s political circle, supporting him during the 2016 presidential campaign, speaking at the Republican convention that year and working on his first transition team. She also defended Trump during his first impeachment trial in 2020 and has criticized the charges brought against him in the ongoing legal cases.
Israel “our greatest ally”
Bondi, who has been a strong advocate of US-Israeli relations, has described Israel as “one of, if not our greatest ally in the world”. She has participated in delegations to Israel to discuss security, cybercrime and counter-terrorism, and expressed support for the decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Bondi’s commitment to Israel has strengthened her position within pro-Israel circles in the US, but also earned her criticism from those who believe these ties sometimes prioritize Israeli interests over American ones.
Gaetz has also expressed support for Israel, but his relationship with Jewish organizations has been more problematic. Controversy surrounding his vote against an anti-Semitism bill and links to individuals with allegedly anti-Semitic views have raised questions about his stance.
The road to Senate approval
Bondi’s nomination must now be approved by the Senate, where she is expected to face questions about both her past career and her close ties to Trump. Critics worry that her loyalty to Trump could affect her ability to lead the Justice Department independently.
If Bondi is approved, she will inherit a department that is expected to undergo significant changes under Trump’s new administration. She has previously criticized legal cases against Trump and could play a central role in making good on Trump’s promise to review and possibly pardon those convicted after the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill riot.
Her broad legal experience and strong roots within the Republican Party mean that her confirmation process is expected to be relatively less controversial than Gaetz’s.
