Conservatives rejoiced when Trump tapped firebrand Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general. They couldn’t wait to see him go after the partisan, weaponized DOJ.
But then Gaetz’s controversial past got in the way, and when Senate confirmation was looking troublesome, he withdrew from his nomination so as not to be a “distraction” from the work the Trump administration was trying to accomplish.
While Gaetz’s stepping down was certainly disheartening, there were still other excellent picks — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or perhaps Missouri’s Andrew Bailey, for example.
However, Trump took many by surprise when he then pointed to Pam Bondi, former Florida attorney general, as his next choice.
Who is Pam Bondi? And how should conservatives take the news of her nomination?
Josh Hammer, senior editor at large for Newsweek and host of “The Josh Hammer Show,” joins Jill Savage and Blaze News editor in chief Matthew Peterson on “Blaze News Tonight” to answer these questions.
One thing that paints Pam Bondi in a positive light for conservatives is the reality that MSNBC is terrified of her, precisely because “she is competent" and “knows what she is doing.”
While that’s certainly good news, not all conservatives are thrilled with this pick.
“This came out of left field for me,” Peterson tells Hammer.
“I’m not thrilled with the pick,” Hammer admits. “Pam Bondi would not have been on my short list.”
That’s not to say Bondi isn’t competent, however. “She was a two-term attorney general of the nation's third largest state” and has “been a prosecutor for 20 years.” Further, Bondi was “a leader in the Barack Obama era,” which means “she was one of the leaders of the states fighting Obamacare.”
That’s “a very good and laudable thing,” says Hammer.
However, “I have some very specific concerns about Pam Bondi,” he adds. “Pam Bondi supported some pro-gun control measures in Florida, especially in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, [and] some measures, which Rick Scott signed into law pertaining to red flag laws.”
“She was also bringing home I think $115,000 a month at one point as a registered foreign agent of the Qatari government, so at a bare minimum, I would like to make sure that that is no longer the case and that she is no longer an asset of what is essentially a state sponsor of terrorism,” adds Hammer, noting that he “assumes that she’s not.”
When it comes to “enforc[ing] the rule of law” and “secur[ing] the border," however, he is confident Bondi “will be effective.”
Unfortunately, “She is not someone who's going to come in there and basically clean out the Augean stables and burn the whole thing down like a Matt Gaetz would have,” he says, but “as someone who personally hopes that the Trump-Vance administration succeeds in all that they want to do, I wish her all the best.”
To hear more about Pam Bondi, watch the episode above.
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NBC's Kristen Welker likely regrets trying to paint Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt (R) into a corner Sunday on "Meet the Press." Rather than make the Republican senator squirm, Welker received an earful about some of the ways that President Joe Biden and other Democrats weaponized the Department of Justice against President-elect Donald Trump and other perceived political opponents.
Schmitt expressed support early in the interview for Trump's second pick to run the Department of Justice, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, noting that she's "smart" and "tough."
"It's a great pick."
Welker insinuated that Trump's proposed attorney general would engage in the same conduct the senator has previously criticized, alluding to Bondi's suggestion last year that elements of the DOJ that waged lawfare against Trump in the lead-up to his re-election will eventually face accountability: "The prosecutors will be prosecuted — the bad ones," and the "investigators will be investigated."
'There has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses.'
The NBC talking head noted that Schmitt previously said the DOJ should go "back to fighting crime and not settling scores," then posed the question, "How do you square those two different views?"
Unwilling to accept the premise that the two views were irreconcilable, Schmitt instead suggested that the reckoning to come isn't more weaponization but rather the return of accountability.
"Everybody's seen this weaponization of the Justice Department over the last four years. It really is a tragedy for a once-respected agency that has gone after Catholics; it's gone after parents who showed up to school board meetings under the auspices of the Patriot Act. This is in the United States of America," said Schmitt.
The senator suggested that Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland "clearly weaponized that department ... to go after their chief political opponent. I'll tell you, Kristen, the arc of that story's really terrifying if you care about the republic."
"After the midterms, Joe Biden said that there was no way President Trump would ever be back in the White House. After that speech, these zombie cases were resurrected. The number three person from DOJ went to New York, and you had the Alvin Bragg case," said Schmitt, referencing Matthew Colangelo's migration from a senior position in the Biden DOJ — acting associate attorney general, then principal deputy associate attorney general — to a supporting role trying to kneecap Trump, this time in New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office.
"The number two prosecutor in Atlanta went to the White House and coordinated," continued Schmitt, apparently alluding to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' onetime lover Nathan Wade. Wade, whom Willis made top prosecutor in Trump's Georgia election interference case, admitted to having extensive communications with the Biden White House in an Oct. 15 testimony to Congress.
"You saw all these cases resurrected. They all fell apart under the weight of the law," continued Schmitt. "And so, I do think there needs to be accountability. I think that getting it back to crime-fighting is important, but there has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses."
Welker, who appeared frazzled throughout much of Schmitt's response, pressed the senator to explain what the accountability pursued by the Trump DOJ might look like.
"I think accountability means, first and foremost, the people involved in this should be fired immediately," responded the senator. "Anybody part of this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didn't like his politics and to continue to cast him as a 'threat to democracy' was wrong. And so, we'll see where that goes."
Schmitt reiterated that Bondi is "a smart, capable, tough person," noting she "is going to restore respect in that department."
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President-elect Donald Trump has officially selected all 15 Cabinet nominees less than three weeks since he won the election.
Trump has selected several MAGA-aligned nominees to serve as his closest advisers in the upcoming administration. Although they have the president-elect's support, these nominees will still need to secure the Senate's approval.
With the incoming 53-seat Republican Senate majority, Trump's nominees can afford to lose only three votes during the confirmation process, assuming Vice President-elect JD Vance also participates in the vote. Some candidates are expected to breeze through the confirmation process, while others may be facing an uphill battle.
Here is what you need to know about all of Trump's Cabinet nominations.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) was tapped by Trump to serve as secretary of state in the upcoming administration, requiring Senate approval. Rubio was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and even ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary in 2016. During his time in the Senate, Rubio has put forth an aggressive foreign policy agenda toward China, Iran, and Venezuela, which appeared to be a big selling point for Trump.
"Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom," Trump said in a statement. "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."
Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent was nominated by Trump to lead the Treasury Department in the upcoming administration. Bessent, who founded the investment firm Key Square Capital Management, has served as a close economic policy adviser to Trump over the last year. Bessent has also advocated for reducing government subsidies, slashing regulations, lowering taxes, increasing tariffs, and prioritizing American energy independence. Also worth noting, the Dow Jones jumped over 400 points after Trump announced Bessent's nomination.
"As a lifelong Champion of Main Street America and American Industry, Scott will support my Policies that will drive U.S. Competitiveness, and stop unfair Trade imbalances, work to create an Economy that places Growth at the forefront, especially through our coming World Energy Dominance," Trump said in a statement.
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality and veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was recruited by Trump to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth has been a contributor on Fox since 2014, with much of his commentary relating to the military. Hegseth has embraced an America First foreign policy and has aligned himself with Trump, emphasizing the importance of a strong military.
"Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First," Trump said in a statement. "With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down."
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general after his first nominee, former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, withdrew his bid. Gaetz met with senators early last week regarding his looming confirmation but later decided to drop out, saying he was "unfairly becoming a distraction" for the Trump transition team.
Bondi has extensive experience in the legal field and has served as a longtime Trump ally, defending the then-president during his first impeachment trial. Trump's primary reason for nominating Bondi for the position appears to be to address the federal weaponization of the DOJ against him and his allies.
"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore," Trump said in a statement. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again."
Former Republican presidential candidate and current North Dakota Gov. Dough Burgum was tapped by Trump to serve as secretary of the interior. If confirmed, Burgum would be in charge of managing natural resources like oil and water. Trump has long advocated for American energy independence and dominance, which would be revitalized through increased fracking and decreased federal regulation, both of which Burgum has advocated for.
"This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation," Trump said in a statement.
"Doug Burgum will protect our Nation's Natural Resources, restore our fabulous Oil and Gas advantage, and Make America, and its Energy, Dominant and Great Again!" Trump continued.
Brooke Rollins, former Trump White House policy adviser and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, was selected by Trump to head the Department of Agriculture. Rollins served in crucial roles during the first Trump administration and went on to found the AFPI, a think tank that championed Trump's agenda. In addition to her years of political experience, Rollins has extensive experience and an educational background in agriculture and farming.
“Brooke’s commitment to support the American farmer, defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none,” Trump said in a statement.
"As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country," Trump continued.
American businessman Howard Lutnick was recruited by Trump to serve as secretary of commerce in the upcoming administration. Lutnick is currently the chief executive of the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald and has been an economic adviser to the Trump campaign and the transition team. Like Bessent, he has been an advocate for increasing tariffs, cutting taxes, and promoting American energy independence and dominance.
"He will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative," Trump said in a statement. "In his role as Co-Chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, Howard has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest Administration America has ever seen."
Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon was tapped by Trump to lead the Department of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer, who recently lost her re-election bid, has notably earned the endorsement of powerful unions like the Teamsters. As a more moderate member of the GOP conference, Chavez-DeRemer has been criticized for voting in favor of legislation that emboldens unions and weakens businesses.
"Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America's workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America," Trump said in a statement. "I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs."
Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was nominated to serve as secretary of health and human services in the upcoming Trump administration. Kennedy rose to political prominence when he ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat before switching his party affiliation to independent. Kennedy eventually dropped out and endorsed Trump in August, leading the effort to unify political figures across the political spectrum behind Trump. Prior to running for office, Kennedy was an environmental lawyer who had spoken out against pharmaceutical companies and advocated for more transparency in the medical and health industries.
"For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in a statement. "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country."
Former Republican Rep. Scott Turner of Texas was nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NFL player turned politico also served in the first Trump administration, working closely alongside then-HUD Secretary Ben Carson. Scott is the founder and CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, a foundation that works to revitalize American communities.
"Scott is an NFL Veteran, who, during my First Term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country's most distressed communities," Trump said in a statement.
Former Republican Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin was selected by Trump to lead the Department of Transportation. Duffy originally served in Congress from 2011 to 2019, resigning from his post to focus on his family ahead of the birth of his ninth child. Duffy is now a host on Fox Business, alongside his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who also hosts a show on Fox. Throughout his career, Duffy has been a staunch supporter of and ally to the president-elect.
"Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation's Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation," Trump said in a statement. "Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!"
Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, has been nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of the Department of Energy in the upcoming administration. Wright has been a longtime supporter of the oil and gas industry, advocating for fracking as a key component of America's prospective energy independence. The entrepreneur also vowed to reduce energy regulations in order for America to strengthen its energy dominance.
"Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas," Trump said in a statement. "Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics."
Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration, was recruited by Trump to serve in his second administration as the secretary of the Department of Education. McMahon has both political and entrepreneurial experience and has been a strong advocate for parents' rights and reforming the education system. Notably, McMahon was also a former professional wrestler and is married to Vince McMahon, the former CEO of the WWE.
"For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents' Rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 States, giving children the opportunity to receive an excellent Education, regardless of zip code or income," Trump said in a statement. "As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families."
Former Republican representative and Air Force veteran Doug Collins of Georgia was nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of veterans affairs. Collins has also been a longtime political ally of the president-elect, becoming one of Trump's strongest defenders during the 2019 impeachment inquiry.
"Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War," Trump said in a statement. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Service members, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need."
Republican Gov. Kristi Norm of South Dakota was nominated by the president-elect for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem, who has served as governor since 2020, has long been a Trump loyalist whose name was even floated for vice president. As the head of the DHS, Noem would be at the forefront of immigration policy and enforcement and have the ability to help implement his popular MAGA mandate.
"Kristi has been very strong on Border Security," Trump said in a statement. "She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times. She will work closely with 'Border Czar' Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries."
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President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in nominating another candidate for U.S. attorney general in his administration after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew his bid.
Trump announced his pick on social media on Thursday evening.
'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.'
"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," he 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," he added. "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."
Bondi would need to be confirmed by the Senate.
The pick was praised by many on the right, and on MSNBC liberal commentators reliably melted down over the decision.
"She is a dangerous and effective pick, and that's frankly worse than what what we would have got with Matt Gaetz, even with the deplorable moral background that he has," said Jason Johnson.
Trump went on to say she would stop the weaponization of the DOJ against Republicans.
"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," the president-elect continued.
"I have known Pam for many years," he concluded. "She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!"
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