Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdrawal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Nov 2024 08:53
3 Min Read

US President-elect Donald Trump picks another loyalist for attorney general after Matt Gaetz's sexual misconduct allegations.

Listen
  • x
  • Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at First Horizon Coliseum, November 2, 2024, in Greensboro, NC (AP)
    Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at First Horizon Coliseum, November 2, 2024, in Greensboro, NC (AP)

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."

Related News

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

'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.

  • Matt Gaetz
  • US
  • United States
  • Donald Trump
  • Republican Party
  • Florida
  • Pam Bondi

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS