Donald Trump’s has announced that former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi is his new pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the departure of ex-congressman Matt Gaetz.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” the president-elect wrote in a statement on Thursday evening.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the role on Thursday, saying his candidacy was “becoming a distraction”.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” he wrote on X.
He was the subject of investigations into drug use and sex with a minor, allegations which he consistently denied but which reportedly led Trump’s team to consider him “blackmail-able”.
Meanwhile, police have released a detailed investigative report into Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality and military veteran Trump has nominated to be America’s defense secretary, after he was accused of sexual assault by a woman he met at a conservative conference in Monterey, California, in 2017.
Key Points
- Donald Trump names Pam Bondi as new AG pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
- Full story: Gaetz drops out of consideration for attorney general
- Watch: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth responds to sexual assault allegations
- Right-wing podcaster and former agent Dan Bongino ‘in line to head Secret Service'
Donald Trump names Pam Bondi as new AG pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
09:05
Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
If you’re just catching up to the whirlwind events of yesterday, Donald Trump’s has announced that former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi is his new pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the departure of ex-congressman Matt Gaetz.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” the president-elect wrote in a statement on Thursday evening.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Gaetz was highly complimentary about Bondi’s choice (but then what else could he say?), although his praise was dwarfed by that of an excessively grovelling Lindsey Graham.
.@PamBondi is a stellar selection by President Trump for Attorney General.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 22, 2024
Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida’s Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house.
She’s a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all… https://t.co/K86sK7WkPf
Well done, Mr. President. Picking Pam Bondi for Attorney General is a grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 22, 2024
She will be confirmed quickly because she deserves to be confirmed quickly. https://t.co/gJ9pGUy6QW
Republican senator Mike Rounds told CNN yesterday that Bondi would be subjected to the same scrutiny by Congress as Trump’s other cabinet picks but questions have already been raised on that point...
Sen. Rounds says Bondi will have to go through “the process” just like anyone else. But anyone else nominated for AG would have to go through a FBI background check and no signs Trump transition is going to engage with that part of process, for her or other Cabinet picks. https://t.co/adKZTuU0aR
— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) November 22, 2024
Here’s the full story from Mike Bedigan and Alex Woodward.
Trump cabinet latest: Who will get confirmed and who will work across the aisle?
08:45
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump is nearly done with his slate of initial Cabinet nominees as his incoming White House and broader administration begin to take shape.
And while a few notables are making headlines and could face real opposition to their respective confirmations, more are expected to sail smoothly through the Republican-controlled Senate.
Most reflect one of two schools of the Republican Party, now both totally subservient to Trump. Some are MAGA diehards, like Matt Gaetz and Kristi Noem. Others are more aligned with the party’s center, like Marco Rubio. Figures who fall into both camps may find opportunities for common ground with Democrats over the next four years — a valuable prospect if the opposition party is able to win control of one or both chambers of Congress in the future.
A number of Cabinet positions remain outstanding: Trump has yet to name his picks for Agriculture, HUD, Treasury and Labor. But his choices for the most prominent positions are now all named, and some are much more bipartisan — or more antagonistic — than a layperson might expect.
John Bowden reports.
How much does Linda McMahon actually know about education?
08:15
Oliver O'Connell
While Trump’s pick for education secretary is relatively unknown in academic circles, she is famous in another: the WWE ring.
Former wrestling mogul and billionaire Linda McMahon has stunned educators by being unveiled as Trump’s choice to run the Department of Education – or, perhaps, to lead the operation to scrap it altogether.
But how much education experience does she actually have?
Rhian Lubin takes a look.
Hegseth’s comments about women in the military met with outrage
07:45
Oliver O'Connell
Women veterans, service members and advocacy groups are outraged by recent remarks from Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s military branches, a veteran and former Fox News host who does not want women serving in combat.
Pete Hegseth, who Trump has nominated to be the next secretary of defense, has been widely derided for a lack of qualifications to lead the country’s largest federal agency and its 3 million service members and civilian staff members.
Here’s retired General Mark Milley giving his blunt response to Hegseth’s nomination:
Milley: Don’t lecture me about women in combat. Women have been in combat and it doesn’t matter if that 762 hits you in the chest, no one gives a shit if it's a woman or guy who pulled the trigger. If you meet the standards, our military must be and always should be a… pic.twitter.com/nkAXWIveTU
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 21, 2024
Alex Woodward reports.
Full story: Matt Gaetz drops out of consideration for attorney general
07:15
Oliver O'Connell
Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetzannounced on Thursday that he would end his bid to be Donald Trump’s attorney general.
“I had excellent meetings with senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback — and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” tweeted Gaetz.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
Nikki Haley issues scathing takedown of two Trump cabinet picks
06:15
Oliver O'Connell
Nikki Haley has launched into a blistering critique of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F Kennedy Jr, slamming the former as “a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer.”
The former United Nations Ambassador in Trump’s first administration raised major concerns about Gabbard, who was picked as director of national security, and RFK Jr, who was nominated Health and Human Services secretary, during her SiriusXM show Nikki Haley Live on Wednesday.
James Liddell reports.
Matt Gaetz: What to know about sexual misconduct allegations as he withdraws as Trump’s attorney general pick
05:15
Oliver O'Connell
Matt Gaetz has withdrawn himself from consideration for the role of Donald Trump’s attorney general.
The former Florida congressman announced he was ending his bid to head up the Justice Department on Thursday, saying he had become “a distraction” to the future Trump-Vance administration.
His withdrawal comes following a week of intense scrutiny over resurfaced allegations of wrongdoing, including a federal sex trafficking probe – that ended without charges – and a House ethics inquiry. He vehemently denies the allegations.
Josh Marcus and Rhian Lubin break down what you need to know.
Bill O’Reilly claims Trump’s cabinet will have zero policy input: ‘Say ‘yes, sir’ or they’re not going to be OK’
04:40
Gustaf Kilander
Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, has argued that President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks will not have any sway over policy in his next administration.
The 75-year-old appeared on NewsNation on Wednesday night, saying that Trump is likely to concentrate power at the White House and simply have his department leaders follow his directives.
The commentator compared Trump’s incoming administration to that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, saying that the president-elect will put in place a structure where cabinet members will simply follow his lead.
Read more:
Sex scandal claims swirl around Trump’s cabinet
04:15
Oliver O'Connell
President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is proving to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, including a number of people who face sexual misconduct allegations.
Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women. He has bragged about grabbing women “by the p***y.” A jury found him liable for sex abuse against former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Still, he has been elected twice to serve as president. He has denied all the accusations against him.
“This is not a good time for survivors or victims. People are not going to speak up because, look, it’s falling on deaf ears. No one cares,” one of Trump’s accusers previously told The Independent after he was re-elected.
Now, he’s nominated a number of individuals who also face claims of engaging in or tolerating sexual misconduct.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said: “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again.”
Kelly Rissman looks at some of the contentious picks Trump has made for his inner circle.
Piers Morgan mocks Ellen DeGeneres over reported decision to move to England after Trump win
03:45
Gustaf Kilander
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly listed their Montecito estate and relocated to rural England following Donald Trump’s presidential win.
The former TV host, 66, and her wife, 51, have fled the country and plan to “never return” to the U.S., sources told The Wrap.
The couple of 16 years has move to the Cotswolds in South West England, the outlet reports, and their Montecito mansion, about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, has either already been privately listed or will be on the market soon.
Inga Parkel has more.
Tommy Tuberville tells Steve Bannon 2020 election was stolen
03:15
Oliver O'Connell
Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville questioned the validity of the 2020 election during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast with an offensive rant in which he called President Joe Biden a “bedridden dementia patient.”
Bannon, President-elect Donald Trump’s former White House chief strategist, asked Tuberville about the Democrats, saying “They’re there to fully stop Donald Trump and hopefully take their plans to take the House in two years and impeach him, right?”
Tuberville said the Democrats’ plan “was accelerated because they stole the election from President Trump and they were able to get four years with a bedridden dementia patient.”
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump’s new AG pick didn’t pursue lawsuit against Trump University – after he donated $25k to her campaign
02:45
Gustaf Kilander
The incoming Trump administration didn’t waste time on Thursday after Matt Gaetz announced he was dropping his bid to become attorney general, announcing former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi would seek the top position at the Justice Department instead.
Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, is both an experienced public official and a long-time Trump ally.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump’s education secretary pick Linda McMahon body slammed by Kane in resurfaced WWE clip
02:30
Gustaf Kilander
A resurfaced clip of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education getting body slammed in the wrestling ring by Kane, who is now a Republican mayor, has gone viral.
WWE co-founder Linda McMahon was announced as one of Trump’s cabinet picks on November 19 with critics and WWE fans questioning her qualifications for the role.
Brittany Miller has more.
RFK Jr compared ‘bully’ Trump to Hitler
02:15
Oliver O'Connell
The incoming Trump administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has a history of scathing criticisms against the president-elect, including comparing him to Hitler and branding his supporters “belligerent idiots” and “outright Nazis.”
The remarks, many of which were made on Kennedy’s “Ring of Fire” radio show in 2016, were uncovered by CNN.
Josh Marcus reports.
Ex-military chief slaps down claim by Trump defense secretary pick that women shouldn’t serve in combat
02:00
Gustaf Kilander
A former military chief has hit back at Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee over remarks made about women serving in the armed forces.
General Mark Milley, who served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US military “must be and always should be” standards-based, as he called out the comments by Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, was announced as the President-elect’s choice for secretary of defense last week, in a move that caused consternation across the political aisle. He served 13 years as a part-time member of the National Guard, culminating in the rank of major.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Lara Trump’s latest career move... activewear mogul
01:45
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has started a new clothes brand as her latest career move after releasing pop songs and being floated as a possible senator.
The co-chair of the Republican National Committee, took to Instagram this week to launch her new activewear line — The LT Brand by Lara Trump Collection.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Pam Bondi once called for Hillary Clinton to be locked up: ‘I love that'
01:30
Gustaf Kilander
During the 2016 Republican National Convention, Pam Bondi responded to the crowd’s calls to “lock her up” in reference to former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton by saying “I love that.”
Bondi said during her speech at the convention eight years ago that Clinton “deserves no security clearance.”
“How do you become president of the United States when you have no security clearance?” she asked at the time. “This lawlessness must stop right here, right now. Donald Trump will stop it.”
“Lock her up, I love that,” she said in response to a sign in the audience, prompting chants of the phrase.
Profile: Pete Hegseth — Fox News anchor turned nominee for defense secretary
01:15
Oliver O'Connell
Pete Hegseth has been nominated for secretary of defense under President-elect Donald Trump – but who is the relative unknown to the DC sphere?
Hegseth’s most recent role was as a host on the Fox & Friends morning show. That is where most of America knows him from, but he is also an author, husband and dad and even found viral fame – though it landed him in legal hot water.
Amber Raiken reports.
White House: Trump still hasn’t signed papers to officially start transition
00:45
Oliver O'Connell
More than two weeks after the 2024 election, the White House says President-elect Donald Trump and his team still haven’t executed the legal documents required to officially start the transition process that will end with him taking the presidential oath of office on the Capitol steps in just under 60 days.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the Trump-Vance team “not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration” despite ongoing efforts to negotiate involving White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his incoming Trump administration counterpart, Susie Wiles.
Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, D.C.
Morning Joe hosts agreed to Trump meeting over fears of Joe Scarborough intern death probe, report claims
00:30
Gustaf Kilander
The hosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, allegedly met with President-elect Donald Trump over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarborough’s office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman, according to a Puck News report.
On Monday, Brzezinski said: “For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’”
“Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him,” she added.
Read more:
ICYMI: Trump unveils latest merchandise grift
00:15
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has unveiled his latest merchandising venture, a range of “limited edition” American Eagle-branded electric and acoustic guitars retailing from $1,500 to as much as $10,500 for a signed model.
“Coming Soon! The Limited Edition ’45’ Guitar. Only 1,300 of each Acoustic and Electric Guitars MADE – Some personally signed!” the president-elect announced on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday evening, accompanied by a photograph of himself brandishing one of the instruments, which he is not known to be able to play.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
From 2019: Trump’s ‘impeachment adviser’ Pam Bondi says looming charges are weighing on him: ‘Is this difficult? Of course it is’
00:00
Gustaf Kilander
Background on Pam Bondi from 2019:
A White House adviser tasked with defending Donald Trump during the impeachment proceedings against him suggested the pressure of the looming charges was beginning to weigh down on the president just before an official vote.
Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general who the president hired last month to serve as a voice for the administration while it battles back against the public impeachment hearings, slammed the House-led inquiry in an interview with Fox News Sunday.
“Is this difficult? Of course it is”, Ms Bondi said. “And that’s why the lawyers, we are all handling this impeachment sham and charade with the weakest of weak evidence … now going to the US Senate.”
Chris Riotta reported at the time:
From 2020: Pam Bondi hits Biden over nepotism minutes before two of Trump's children speak at RNC
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:52
Gustaf Kilander
Some background on Pam Bondi from 2020:
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi lashed out at Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden in her Republican National Committee address, criticising them for nepotism moments before two of Donald Trump‘s children spoke at his re-election convention.
Ms Bondi was first linked to the president in 2016, when, as the Sunshine State’s top lawyer, she dropped Florida’s probe into Trump University. Weeks prior to ending that investigation, Mr Trump donated $25,000 to her re-election campaign. All sides denied a quid pro quo.
The attack on the Bidens was the first of the RNC, months after Mr Trump responded to House Democrats’ impeachment trial of his interactions with Ukraine’s president by attacking Hunter Biden. He and his surrogates and legal team argued the younger Biden profited from his father’s work against Ukraine corruption as vice president.
John T. Bennett reported at the time:
Despite him saying he has ‘no idea’ what it is, Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:45
Oliver O'Connell
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence...
Alex Woodward has the details.
Trump names Pam Bondi as new AG pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:41
Gustaf Kilander
Donald Trump has announced that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be nominated as his US Attorney General, after controversial first pick Matt Gaetz withdrew from the role.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Trump wrote in a statement on Thursday evening.
“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!”
Mike Bedigan reports.
Donald Trump announces new nominee for attorney general
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:35
Gustaf Kilander
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Thursday night that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be his next nominee to lead the Department of Justice following the departure of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
“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,” Trump wrote. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families.”
“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many families across our Country,” he added. “She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first Term — We saved many lives!”
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” the president-elect claimed. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. 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!”
Vance faces flack from own party for helping Democrats push through Biden judicial nominees
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:15
Oliver O'Connell
Republican senators not attending the last few days of the legislative session are facing criticism from colleagues as Democrats work to fill as many judicial vacancies as possible before they lose the majority in January.
That includes Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, the Ohio Senator. Senate Republicans shared their ire after Vance and some other Republican Senators skipped some votes Monday when Democrats worked late into the night to confirm their nominees to the federal bench.
Republicans worked to slow down the voting headed by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to push through more than a dozen judicial nominees. However, the GOP Senators were unsuccessful as some members of their conference didn’t attend the session, which ended near midnight.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Number of GOP senators who were hard ‘no’ on Gaetz rises to eight, report says
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:05
Oliver O'Connell
At least eight Republican senators were hard "no" votes against Matt Gaetz for U.S. attorney general by the time he withdrew from consideration, two sources told CBS News' @edokeefe and @majorcbs. One source, a GOP senator, said that number could have doubled if there had been a…
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 21, 2024
Speaker Johnson echoes Trump saying Gaetz has ‘bright future ahead of him'
Thursday 21 November 2024 23:00
Oliver O'Connell
.@RealDonaldTrump is exactly right: Matt has a bright future ahead of him.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) November 21, 2024
I’ve worked closely with Matt for eight years. He is an America First fighter—dedicated to ending the weaponization of the Department of Justice which, after the abuses of the Biden-Harris… https://t.co/P6OSsJujaI