Attorney General Archives

Bondi in her confirmation hearing says Trump was ‘targeted’ by Justice Department investigations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, has insisted at her Senate confirmation hearing that Trump was targeted by years of investigations. Bondi pledges she would not “politicize” the Justice Department if confirmed as the country’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Bondi’s statements Wednesday echoed Trump’s claims the Justice Department had been weaponized against him. Democrats are concerned the Republican president-elect will look to use the agency’s law enforcement powers to exact retribution against his adversaries, including the investigators who investigated him. Bondi s a former Florida attorney general. Bondi says she would work to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice.… Continue Reading

Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Florida Republican made the announcement Thursday. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party.… Continue Reading

Republicans on the House Ethics Committee reject releasing report on Matt Gaetz

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on their long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz. That’s according to the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania. She said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report. Gaetz met for hours behind closed doors Wednesday with Republican senators who have questions about the sexual misconduct and other allegations against him. At least one Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham, decried the “lynch mob” forming against Gaetz.… Continue Reading

Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Republican Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation’s top prosecutor. In selecting the congressman, Trump passed over some of the more established attorneys whose names had been mentioned as being contenders for the job. “Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump said in a statement.… Continue Reading

Democratic US Rep. Jeff Jackson is elected as North Carolina’s attorney general

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson has been elected as North Carolina’s next attorney general. Jackson defeated Republican congressman Dan Bishop on Tuesday in an expensive campaign that focused on who was best able to represent the state in court and keep communities safe. Jackson is an Afghan war veteran and National Guard attorney. He decided against seeking reelection to Congress because redistricting placed him in a heavily GOP district. Bishop accused Jackson of being soft on crime and antagonistic to police. Jackson called Bishop too extreme for the job. A Republican hasn’t been elected to the post of attorney general in North Carolina since 1896.… Continue Reading

2 US House members seek to become North Carolina’s attorney general

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The two men seeking to become North Carolina’s next attorney general are both outgoing members of Congress who have represented the Charlotte area on Capitol Hill and previously in the state legislature. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson and GOP U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop are seeking to succeed two-term Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic nominee for governor. Each has argued that his rival is too radical to become the state’s top law enforcement official. This fall’s campaign has focused largely on who is best able to represent the nation’s ninth-largest state in court and keep its communities safe.… Continue Reading