Following Matt Gaetz's withdrawal, Pam Bondi is nominated by Donald Trump to be attorney general.

One of Donald Trump's attorneys during his initial impeachment hearing was Pam Bondi, a longstanding ally.

Hours after his original choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name, US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday selected Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be the next US attorney general.

After Republican Matt Gaetz, the initial choice for attorney general, withdrew his name because of a pending federal sex trafficking investigation against him, Pam Bondi was nominated.

"Even though there was a lot of momentum, it is evident that my confirmation was unjustly taking time away from the important work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz stated.

"I'll be removing my name from consideration to be Attorney General because there is no time to waste on an unnecessary, drawn-out Washington scuffle," he continued. He said in a social media statement that he would keep fighting for the nation, but from a different angle.

Pam Bondi is who?
Longtime Trump supporter Pam Bondi represented him in his first impeachment hearing after he was charged with attempting to offer US military assistance to Ukraine in exchange for their investigation of then-Vice President Joe Biden.

She has also served as chair of the America First Policy Institute, a think group founded by former employees of the Trump administration.

Pam Bondi, a Tampa native with 18 years of prosecutorial experience, was Florida's first female attorney general.

In response to Matt Gaetz's resignation, Donald Trump
"Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" was Donald Trump's response to Gaetz's resignation.

Charges made against Matt Gaetz
Recently, two women testified before the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz had paid them for sex several times since 2017, when he was a representative from Florida. Additionally, they accused him of having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, which would have been considered statutory rape because the state's consent age was 18.

"They are thankful for the chance to continue living their lives," said the women's attorney. They hope that this will provide everyone involved with ultimate closure.

Gaetz has vehemently denied any misconduct. He was not charged at the conclusion of the Justice Department's inquiry last year.

Although Gaetz was elected to Congress again in November, he sent a letter of resignation to Florida Governor Ron Desantis and House Speaker Mike Johnson stating that he would not be taking the oath of office.

In a 50-50 vote, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee have refused to make the panel's conclusions public due to Democratic objections. To wrap up the issue, the committee will convene again on December 5.

In addition to Gaetz, Trump's choice to head the Pentagon, Peter Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, is also accused of sexual assault, despite his claims that he has been probed and exonerated of any wrongdoing.