President-elect Donald Trump has announced Pam Bondi as his choice for attorney general following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz.

The announcement was made on his Truth Social platform, where he praised Ms Bondi’s record as Florida’s attorney general and her contributions during his first administration.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Mr Trump wrote. 

He lauded Ms Bondi’s two decades of experience as a prosecutor, her work combating drug trafficking, and her efforts on the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term, which he credited with saving lives. 

Mr Trump also positioned Mr Bondi’s appointment as a move to “refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again.”

The announcement followed Mr Trump’s earlier comments on Mr Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration. 

Mr Gaetz announced his withdrawal from consideration for attorney general in Mr Trump’s incoming administration, saying his nomination had become a “distraction” to the work of the president-elect and his team.

Federal investigators traced a network of payments involving Mr Gaetz and his associates, revealing alleged connections to drug-fueled sex parties and payments to women, including one who was a minor at the time. A recent report also emerged about a hacker gaining access to sensitive files containing testimony from individuals accusing Mr Gaetz of misconduct, including underage sexual relationships.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has expressed gratitude for the congressman’s efforts but noted that Mr Gaetz chose to step back to avoid becoming a distraction for the administration. 

“Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do,” Mr Trump said.

Ms Bondi, Florida’s first female attorney general, served in the role from 2011 to 2019. 

A staunch Republican and vocal supporter of Mr Trump, she gained national attention for her legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act and her efforts to tackle opioid addiction. 

During her tenure, Ms Bondi worked to strengthen laws against human trafficking and was instrumental in Florida’s fight against pill mills, which were a significant source of opioid distribution.

Ms Bondi later became a prominent surrogate for Mr Trump during his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. 

During the first impeachment trial in 2020, she also joined his legal team, defending him against charges related to his dealings with Ukraine.

Her close ties to Mr Trump and her tough-on-crime reputation have made her a fixture in conservative politics.