President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Thursday that he would nominate Pam Bondi to be attorney general, turning to a longtime loyalist who served as state attorney general in Florida to put his stamp on a Justice Department that he sees as politically hostile to him.
Mr. Trump announced her selection hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration amid a growing consensus that he could not be confirmed by the Senate because of allegations that he had taken part in drug-fueled sex parties.
Mr. Trump has been keen to install a close ally to head the Justice Department, which he has vowed to purge of what he calls “deep state” foes — suggesting an end to a longstanding practice of Justice Department criminal investigations operating independent of White House direction or interference.
Ms. Bondi, 59, served on Mr. Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment and currently leads the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank that has kept close ties to Mr. Trump’s transition team. Ms. Bondi oversaw the filing of voting-related lawsuits in battleground states.
Toward the end of Mr. Trump’s campaign, she also began to appear more frequently as a surrogate at his rallies, particularly as he tried to showcase his support with women.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Mr. Trump said in a social media post announcing his selection. “I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!”
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