US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced Pam Bondi, a close ally and former Florida attorney general, as his pick for US attorney general after Representative Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from consideration over a slew of sexual misconduct allegations.

The Florida lawmaker was chosen for attorney general while facing a two-year Department of Justice investigation into sex trafficking claims. They included claims that he had formerly engaged in sexual acts with a 17-year-old. 

The inquiry was initially launched in 2021 to determine if Gaetz "may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House rules, laws, or other standards of conduct."

The withdrawal of Gaetz, a staunch supporter of Trump, marks a rare challenge to the president-elect's influence as he prepares to return to the White House with Republican control over both chambers of Congress.

Bondi, 59, is a seasoned ally of Trump, having served on his legal defense team during his first Senate impeachment trial. She also gained attention for contesting vote counts in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election.

Trump praised her as "smart and tough" on his Truth Social platform, stating she would "refocus the Department of Justice on its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again."

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'America first'

The nomination aligns with Trump’s broader effort to shape a government that is reflective of his "America First" agenda. Other high-profile nominations include Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary, and splurging billionaire Elon Musk to lead a government cost-cutting initiative.

Gaetz, 42, withdrew his candidacy, citing concerns that his confirmation process had become a distraction. "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz posted on X.

His nomination faced significant opposition in the Senate, including from fellow Republicans, due to an ongoing ethics investigation.

Despite his withdrawal, Trump voiced support for Gaetz, describing him as having a "wonderful future" in politics. Gaetz had resigned from the House of Representatives following his nomination as attorney general, effectively ending the ethics probe.

Hegseth also facing SA allegations

Trump’s transition team also faced questions regarding another high-profile nominee, defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth. The New York Times reported on a sexual assault investigation involving Hegseth in 2017, stemming from allegations by a woman at a California conference. The case was closed without charges, with Hegseth asserting the encounter was consensual.

Sexual misconduct allegations surrounding several of Donald Trump's cabinet nominees reflect his own troubled history with similar accusations. Trump was ordered to pay $83 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll after a jury found him liable for sexual assault and defamation.

Trump is set to be inaugurated on January 20, with his administration already making waves through controversial appointments and internal challenges. Bondi’s confirmation, if successful, would mark another step in shaping a Justice Department aligned with Trump’s priorities.