WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, turning to a longtime ally after his first choice. Matt Gaetzwithdrew his name 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 when he tried to provide U.S. military aid to Ukraine as that country investigated then-former Vice President Joe Biden . And she was among a group of Republicans who came out to support Trump during his hush-money criminal trial in New York, which ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts.

“For too long, the partisan Justice Department has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus the DOJ on its intended purpose: fighting crime and making America safe again.”

Gaetz stepped aside amid ongoing fallout over a federal investigation into sex trafficking that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Gaetz, who had graduated from the bar but barely practiced law, had very little experience relevant to the job. Bondi has years of legal work behind him and that other quality that Trump values ​​above all: loyalty.

Gaetz’s hasty withdrawal and quick move to Bondi were the latest examples of Trump’s tumultuous decision-making as he moves forward at a breakneck pace with nominations – some of questionable character and credentials – without government vetting, which is typical for presidential transitions. It’s a sign that, despite waging his most organized campaign for the White House this year, his return to the Oval Office could feature 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 had backups in mind for its controversial nominees should they fail to be confirmed.

Yet even in Trump’s world, things moved quickly. Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election victory to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who was investigated by the Justice Department before he was tapped last week to lead it. The decision could increase scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegsethwho is facing allegations of sexual assault that he denies.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation unfairly became a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition,” said Gaetz, a Florida Republican who met with senators a day earlier in an effort to rally their support to win. said in a statement.

“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted scuffle in Washington, so I will withdraw my name from serving as attorney general. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” he added.

Trump said in a social media post: “I greatly appreciate Matt Gaetz’s recent efforts in gaining approval to become Attorney General. He did very well, but at the same time he did not want to be a distraction for the government, for which he has great respect. Matt has a bright future and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!”

Bondi is a well-known figure in Trump’s circle. She was an outspoken critic of the criminal cases against Trump. In a radio appearance, she called Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors who have charged Trump with “terrible” people who she said were trying to make a name for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our justice system ‘.

And she has chaired the America First Policy Institute, a think tank founded by former Trump administration officials.

If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would immediately become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s Cabinet given Republicans’ Republican stance. threat to pursue retaliation against perceived opponents and concerns among Democrats 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 reaffirmed a president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions.

As president, he demanded investigations of political opponents like Hillary Clinton and attempted to use the Justice Department’s law enforcement powers to advance his own interests, including by trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement and the prosecution of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol – defendants to whom Trump has promised pardons.

It is unlikely that Bondi would be confirmed in time as an overlap with Smith, who had filed two federal charges against Trump both of which are expected to end before the new president takes office. Special counsels are expected to prepare reports on their work that have historically been made public, but it remains unclear when such a document would be released.

Bondi was accused of bribery by a Massachusetts lawyer over a $25,000 campaign contribution she received from Trump in 2013. Bondi requested the donation at the same time her office was being questioned about an investigation in New York into alleged fraud at Trump University. That complaint came in 2017 it turned out that there was insufficient evidence to proceed further.

In 2013, while Florida’s attorney general, she publicly apologized for asking to delay the execution of a man convicted of murder because it conflicted with a campaign fundraiser. She said she was wrong and that she regretted asking the then-Gov. Rick Scott postponed Marshal Lee Gore’s execution by three weeks.

Trump last week called personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior positions in the department. Another possible candidate for attorney general, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as U.S. ambassador to NATO.

As Gaetz tried to block Senate support this week, concerns over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. The past few days a lawyer for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex multiple times, starting in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman.

One of the women testified that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to attorney Joel Leppard. Leppard has said his client testified that she did not think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, ended their relationship when he found out and only resumed it after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18.

His political future is uncertain. In a social media post aimed at the incoming vice president, Gaetz wrote: “I look forward to continuing the fight to save our country. Maybe from another post.”

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Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.