WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, tapping a longtime ally after his first election, Matt Gaetzwithdrew his name from consideration amid investigation into sex-trafficking allegations.

Bondi has been an outspoken defender of Trump. She was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power while trying to make U.S. military aid to Ukraine conditional on the country to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. And she was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his criminal trial in New York. ended in May with a conviction for 34 offences.

“For too long, the Partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – No more,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus DOJ on its goal of fighting crime and making America safe again.”

Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fall on one federal sex trafficking investigation which questioned his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Gaetz vehemently denied the allegations, but his nomination stunned many career lawyers within the Department of Justice. Gaetz, who passed the bar but was barely practicing as a lawyer, had very little experience relevant to the job. Bondi comes with years of legal work under his belt and that other trait that Trump prizes above all else: loyalty.

The hasty withdrawal of Gaetz and the quick move to Bondi were the latest examples of Trump’s tumultuous decision-making as he rushes through his nominations — some of questionable character and credentials — at a breakneck pace without government vetting. which is typical of presidential transitions. It’s an omen that, despite running the most organized campaign for the White House this year, his return to the Oval Office could have the same kind of drama that permeated his first term.

Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” that the transition team considered reservations for his controversial nominees in case they are not confirmed.

Still, even in Trump’s world, things have moved quickly. Trump sought to use his landslide election victory to force Senate Republicans to accept challenging picks like Gaetz. The decision could increase scrutiny of other controversial Trump nominees, including Pete Hegseth picks him from the Pentagonwho faces allegations of sexual assault that he denies.

“While the momentum has been strong, it is clear that my confirmation has unfairly become a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition,” Gaetz said in a statement a day after meeting with senators in an effort to win them over the support.

“There is no time to waste with an unnecessarily prolonged argument in Washington, so I will withdraw my name from consideration for the position of attorney general. Trump’s DOJ needs to be in place and ready on day 1,” he added.

Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well, but at the same time, he didn’t want to be a distraction to the Administration, for which he has a lot of respect. Matt has a great future and I look forward to watching all the great things he does!”

Bondi is a well-known figure in Trump’s circle and served as president of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank founded by former Trump administration staffers. She was a vocal critic of criminal cases against Trump. In a recent radio appearance, she called out Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors who accused Trump of “horrible” people who she said are trying to make a name for themselves by “lying after Donald Trump and harmonizing our legal system.”

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham predicted in a social media post that Bondi “will be confirmed quickly,” calling her selection a “grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick “.

If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would instantly become one of the most watched members of Trump’s cabinet given the Republican’s position. the threat to pursue punishment against perceived opponents and Democratic concerns that he will try to bend the Justice Department to his will. A recent Supreme Court opinion not only granted broad immunity to former presidents, but also asserted the president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions.