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Former Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has withdrawn his nomination for attorney general. President-elect Donald Trump had selected Gaetz, but the nomination faced challenges due to a federal sex trafficking investigation. On November 21, Trump announced Pam Bondi as his new choice for the position.
Gaetz's withdrawal prevented what was expected to be a contentious confirmation process. "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," Gaetz stated after meeting with senators to seek their support.
Despite no criminal charges from a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations against him, Gaetz remained under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee until his resignation on November 13. ABC News reported allegations from a woman involved in the investigation claiming Gaetz had sexual relations with her when she was 17 years old. Gaetz denied these claims.
Robert P. George, a legal scholar at Princeton University, commented on X that Gaetz’s withdrawal "is in the interest, first and above all, of the nation." He expressed hope that Trump would choose an experienced lawyer for attorney general.
Trump praised Bondi in a statement: "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again." He described her as "smart and tough" and an "AMERICA FIRST Fighter."
Other appointments by Trump this week include former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as transportation secretary and Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In Washington, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom held a hearing on November 19 regarding non-state actors affecting religious freedom abroad. Stephen Schneck highlighted entities causing harm beyond government control in religious contexts.
Additionally, a congressional hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith focused on Patrick Finucane's murder during Northern Ireland's Troubles. The British government has yet to fulfill its commitment to an inquiry into Finucane's death. His widow Geraldine Finucane emphasized hopes for healing through public examination of collusion related to his murder.
Kate Scanlon reports for OSV News covering Washington updates.
