Washington:
US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Pam Bondi, a strong ally who previously aided in his defense against impeachment, as the next US attorney general. This decision came after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amidst allegations of sexual misconduct. The appointment of Bondi, a former Florida attorney general known for her support of Trump, could potentially assist the president-elect in addressing personal grievances.
Bondi, 59, was part of Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial, where he was accused of pressuring the Ukrainian President for political favors. Trump expressed confidence in Bondi’s ability to refocus the Department of Justice on fighting crime and prioritizing American safety. The announcement of Bondi’s nomination was made on Trump’s Truth Social network, where he emphasized the need to end the politicization of the DOJ.
Trump has been making unconventional choices for key positions, such as nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. The withdrawal of Gaetz, a close ally of Trump, marked the first setback in the transition process. Gaetz faced allegations of illegal activities including sexual misconduct, drug use, and misappropriation of campaign funds, which he denies.
Ethics probe
Gaetz’s confirmation was hindered by a congressional ethics probe into the allegations against him. Despite his denial of wrongdoing, Gaetz decided to withdraw from consideration to avoid distractions during the transition period. His resignation from the House effectively ended the ethics investigation against him.
Meanwhile, new details emerged about defense secretary nominee Hegseth, who was investigated for sexual assault following an incident at a conference in California in 2017. The investigation did not lead to charges against Hegseth, as both parties had differing accounts of the encounter. The transition process has been marked by upheavals and controversies, raising concerns about the suitability of key appointees.
As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, the selection of Bondi as the next US attorney general signals a shift in priorities for the Department of Justice. Her appointment reflects Trump’s commitment to addressing law enforcement issues and ensuring the safety of Americans. However, the controversies surrounding Gaetz and Hegseth highlight the challenges faced in the transition process.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
