As compared to Trump’s previous pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who took himself out of consideration for the position Thursday, Bondi appears to be more universally accepted and seems to have a clearer path to confirmation in the Senate.
In a social media post, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called Bondi’s nomination “a grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick.”
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Of the senators who sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who expressed his concerns about Gaetz’s nomination, said the pick was “an excellent nomination” and that Bondi’s experience “as a career prosecutor and Florida Attorney General make her a good choice to lead the DOJ.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who is also on the committee, said in a post that Bondi will “make a fabulous AG.” He congratulated her and called her a “friend.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), also on the committee, said she is “well regarded” and “experienced.”
Outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who has frequently been at odds with Trump, said Bondi “will be a highly capable leader at DOJ.” Romney will not be in the Senate during Bondi’s confirmation process, though Sen.-elect John Curtis (R-UT), who was elected to replace Romney, was believed to be one of at least four senators who said they would not vote to confirm Gaetz.
Of the incoming freshmen senators who will be voting on Bondi’s confirmation, Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno (R-OH) said, “Congratulations to my friend @PamBondi, who will be a fantastic Attorney General! Pam is a true fighter who will dismantle the Trump-hating deep state at DOJ, root out the corrupt career prosecutors, and make our country great again,” on X.
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Republican senators were reportedly relieved after Gaetz announced he would withdraw, with one GOP senator calling his confirmation “an uphill battle.” Gaetz, a firebrand Trump loyalist, was facing the release of a report from the House Ethics Committee regarding alleged sex trafficking, sex with an underage girl, and illicit drug use, along with other actions.
Bondi served as attorney general for Florida from 2011 to 2019, but she is perhaps better known for serving as one of Trump’s defense lawyers during his first impeachment. When announcing Bondi’s nomination, Trump said she “will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
