Gaetz’s hasty withdrawal and quick reshuffle to Bondi were the latest examples of Trump’s tumultuous decision-making as he rushes out nominations — some of dubious character and merit — at a breakneck pace without the government scrutiny typical of presidential transitions. It’s an omen that despite running his most organized campaign for the White House this year, his return to the Oval Office could contain 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 not be confirmed.

Still, even in Trump’s world, things moved quickly. Trump had sought to use his decisive electoral victory to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative picks like Gaetz. The decision could increase scrutiny of other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegsethwho faces allegations of sexual abuse which 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,” Gaetz said in a statement a day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support.

“There is no time to waste on an unnecessarily protracted Washington squabble, so I will withdraw my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” he added.

Trump said in a post on social media: “I very much appreciate the recent efforts by Matt Gaetz to seek approval to become attorney general. He did very well but at the same time did not want to be a distraction to the administration, which he has great respect for . Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!”

Bondi is a well-known figure in Trump’s circle and has served as chairman of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers. She has been a vocal critic of criminal case against Trump. In a recent radio appearance, she called out Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors who have accused Trump of “terrible” people who she said were trying to make a name for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our justice 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 pick.”

If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would immediately become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s cabinet given Republicans’ threats 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 ruling not only granted broad immunity to former presidents but also affirmed a president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions.

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

Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to deal with civil rights, corporate compliance and the prosecution of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol – defendants Trump has promised to pardon.

Bondi is unlikely to be confirmed in time to overlap with Smith, who brought two federal indictments against Trump both of which are expected to be wound down before the president-elect takes office. Special counsel are expected to produce reports on their work that have historically been made public, but it remains unclear when such a document might be released.

Bondi was accused by a Massachusetts attorney of bribery over a $25,000 campaign contribution she received from Trump in 2013. Bondi asked for the donation almost at the same time her office was being questioned about a New York investigation into alleged fraud at Trump University. 2017, that complaint proved to have lacked sufficient evidence to proceed.

In 2013, while serving as a prosecutor in Florida, she publicly apologized for asking that the execution of a man convicted of murder be delayed because it conflicted with a campaign fundraiser. She said she was wrong and sorry for asking then-Gov. Rick Scott pushes back the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks.

While Gaetz tried to lock down Senate support this week, concerns over the sex-trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating.

The last few days have a lawyer for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning 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.

Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. In a social media post targeting the vice president-elect, Gaetz wrote: “I look forward to continuing the fight to save our country. Just 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.

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