Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
"This is a good choice, in my opinion," said Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota.
Bondi, Florida's first female attorney general, has more than 18 years of experience as a prosecutor.
She challenged the Affordable Care Act and pushed for Florida's "Show Me Your Papers" immigration law.
"Her priorities are right in line with Donald Trump's, not only his policies, but even going after some of the people that he wants gone after as retribution," said political analyst Marc Sandalow.
Bondi endorsed Trump for president in 2016 and was on his legal team during his first impeachment trial.
"Now, her loyalty to Trump is going to draw complaints that maybe she is going to serve as Trump's attorney at the Justice Department," Sandalow added.
Under Trump's administration, the Justice Department is expected to change course on corporate enforcement, civil rights, and the prosecution of Jan. 6 defendants, whom Trump has pledged to pardon.
Analysts say Bondi should not have trouble getting confirmed, unlike Gaetz, who faced significant opposition.
"Simple math, I think was made clear that there's not a path," said Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, of North Dakota.
Bondi may face tough questions from lawmakers over declining to sue Trump University over fraud allegations after receiving a $25,000 campaign contribution from Trump in 2013.
A prosecutor declined to press charges, and both Trump and Bondi deny wrongdoing.
Gaetz called Bondi a "stellar selection" and said that even though he's not returning to Congress, he'll still be in the fight.