Matt Gaetz quits, at Justice Trump calls Pam Bondi

Matt Gaetz is dropping out of the race. He gives up, he will not be the Justice Secretary of the new Republican administration despite Donald Trump's reassurances and insistence. A half defeat for the president-elect, or perhaps a calculated loss in the broader strategy of forming a government of rupture, even with the Republican tradition, with loyal ministers, even if not experienced or qualified. Determined nonetheless to carry out the Maga agenda, Make America Great Again. Within hours, to replace Gaetz, Trump called Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, enemy of ObamaCare, opposed to same-sex couples, close to the populist right since 2016 and on Trump's defence team to fend off Senate impeachment in 2020.

Gaetz had all the credentials to be part of the new administration, but sex scandals and suspicions of drug abuse, combined with an underlying dislike of the more moderate part of the Republicans, have pushed the former Florida congressman to take a step back. Possibly favouring the green light for other controversial nominations by the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority of only three seats, and where therefore every vote, even that of conservatives less close to Trump, is decisive.'I had excellent meetings with senators. I appreciated the support I received from many. It is clear, however,' Gaetz explained, 'that my confirmation was becoming a distraction to the work of Donald Trump and JD Vance's transition. There is no time for a protracted battle in Washington and that is why I am withdrawing my name from the race for Justice Secretary. I will, however, always be grateful for being nominated as Justice Minister."

Gaetz was supposed to be the avenging minister, the man to purge Trump's enemies at the Justice Department and to close with one fell swoop and without hesitation all trials and accusations made by the judiciary in recent years against the tycoon. Gaetz himself had gone so far as to plan 'the elimination of government agencies such as the FBI' that report to the Justice Department.'I appreciate the efforts Matt Gaetz has made even in the last few days to seek confirmation as Justice Secretary. He was doing well,' Trump commented, 'but at the same time he did not want to be a distraction to the administration, which I respect. Matt has a great future and I look forward to the great things he will do'.Ironclad Trumpian, 42 years old, fervent anti-abortionist, Congressman since 2016, Gaetz had been singled out by Trump as attorney general despite never having worked in the Justice Department or even as a prosecutor at any level of government. He had, however, been Trump's main ally in ousting the Republican old guard from the House, guilty - according to the new populist right - of being too soft on the Democrats and even seeking bipartisan deals on crucial issues such as the federal debt. With Pam Bondi, Trump has found an equally aggressive minister with a career behind him that justifies his appointment.

Trump had promised to defend him at all costs, but the controversy made Gaetz an unpresentable and therefore expendable figure, at least at this stage of the transition. In Wednesday's meetings, several Republican senators had not hidden their doubts, starting with Maine Senator Susan Collins, who had said she was 'shocked' about Gaetz's 'unserious nomination'.Gaetz has long been under investigation, first by the judiciary and then by a special House committee, for having participated in drug parties and having had relations with an underage girl. To avoid complications, Gaetz himself resigned as a Member of Parliament, while the House Republicans blocked the release of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry. However, the scandal had already exploded, the secret files and the testimonies of women present at the festivities began to circulate anyway. This is also why Gaetz resigned, to avoid confrontation in the Senate and leave room for other Trump loyalists.

After Gaetz quit within hours, Trump made it known that he had chosen former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his Justice Secretary. 'I am proud to announce that Pam Bondi will be the next Attorney General of the United States,' Trump explained in a post on Truth. Bondi, who served as Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019, appeared with Trump during the campaign in the days leading up to his election victory. Trump has expressed confidence that Bondi will be able to "refocus" the Justice Department. "For too long, the Justice Department has been used by one political side as a weapon against me and other Republicans. It will not happen again. Pam will refocus the Justice Department by returning it to its purpose, which is to fight crime and make America safe again," the president-elect said. "I have known Pam for many years. She is smart and tenacious, and a fighter for America First, she will do a fantastic job."