Amid relentless accusations and personal attacks from his political rivals on the other side of the aisle, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced this week that he will be withdrawing from consideration for the attorney general position in President Donald Trump’s second term.
That leaves Trump with the task of finding a replacement, but The Hill reported that a few candidates have already risen to the top of his list:
To find a replacement, sources close to Trump think someone who is loyal to the president-elect, much like Gaetz, could be named — but perhaps without so much baggage.
“It’s absolutely going to be a Trump loyalist,” said a person with knowledge of discussions, adding that a Trump ally like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could get the nod.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who just won reelection in 2022, has also been floated as an option, as has Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bondi is the chair of the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute, a ring-wing think tank working with the Trump transition on the administration’s agenda. She is also a partner at Ballard Partners, which is the lobbying firm where Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles worked.
Fellow Republicans would likely be supportive of a pick like Lee, who is well respected among his colleagues.
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