New York: US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to become the next US attorney general, hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz—who is facing sexual misconduct allegations, withdrew his name.
Republican Gaetz withdrew his name due to the ongoing investigation against him. He withdrew stating that his “confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction” over increasing scrutiny of the sexual misconduct allegations that have followed him now for many years.
“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,” he added.
However, as he indicated on a social media post, he would continue to fight for the country but from a different position.
Who is Pam Bondi?
Pam Bondi is a long-time Donald Trump ally. She was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused trying to negotiate US military aid to Ukraine based on them investigating former president Joe Biden, who was vice president at the time.
.@PamBondi is a stellar selection by President Trump for Attorney General.
Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida’s Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house.
She’s a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all… https://t.co/K86sK7WkPf
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 22, 2024
Donald Trump reacts to Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal
Donald Trump reacted to Gaetz’s withdrawal. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” he said.
Allegations against Matt Gaetz
Two women came forward recently to tell the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions since 2017. At that time, he was a Florida congressman.
These women also accused him of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017. Having sexual relations with a minor would constitute statutory rape. The age of consent in the state was 18.
Gaetz has refuted any wrongdoing.
Since 2021, the secretive House Ethics Committee has investigated Gaetz over various allegations, including the claim that he had sex with an underage girl, used illicit drugs, accepted bribes, misused campaign funds and shared inappropriate images on the House floor, reported the BBC.
The Department of Justice had also ended a separate three-year, federal sex-trafficking investigation last year by deciding not to bring charges against him.
