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PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD Trump has named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be US attorney general just hours after Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.
Bondi is a long-time ally of Mr Trump and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition US military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former vice president Joe Biden.
Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York which ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts.
She has chaired the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponised against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr told Fox Business on Sunday that the transition team had back-ups in mind for his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed.
The swift selection of Bondi came about six hours after Gaetz withdrew.
Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer.
That announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalise on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being nominated last week to lead it.
The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies.
“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, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators to win their support, said in a statement.
“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”
In a social media post, Trump said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Last week, Trump named his personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible attorney general contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the US ambassador to Nato.
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It’s the…(British) Open! What’s next – Wembley hosting the All Ireland hurling final next year! Leave some things well alone!
@Barry Murphy: No, its just The Open.. here it is from the horses mouth https://www.theopen.com/latest/why-it-is-the-open-not-the-british-open
@Brian: Fair enough!
@Barry Murphy: Wembley hosts American football. Wembley’s not in America, is it?
Imagine willingly going to Dublin.
@Daniel Skelton: Happily
Its a British competition, no to it been held! Enough of this west brits trying tochange pur identity.
@David Byrne: Oh grow up will you, while we obviously have our own cultural identities, we slavishly follow British sports, media, music culture etc., so trying to pretend that we are completely unique in this little country of ours, is flogging a dead horse. I think it would be amazing to get the Open here, but yes I do realise that there are saddos out there like David who would oppose it on xenophobic grounds.
@David Byrne: then why is it in NI this year?
Yet wouldn’t entertain world rally stage. Typical.
@tiobraiddroicead: no one cares about that nonsense
They might as well just sponsor it,great lads to throw away taxpayer money
@Jb Walshe: I am sure lots if golf enthusiasts would come to Dublin. Government would more than get the investment back not to mention all the publicity. Besides plenty Irish Universities and government bodies sponsor sporting events and all our athletes in Paris are on Sports Ireland grants
@Peter Byrne: we have many sporting events Peter,including the Irish Open
@Jb Walshe: The Irish Open is not a major and cannot be compared with The Open.
The hotels be rubbing their hands at the prospect of this becoming a reality.
If the poor immigrants feel put upon maybe they could try they’re luck in a more friendly country I could make a list but it might take me a week or 2
@Paul: is that cause you’re slow?
Their. They’re. There.
@Alan OConnor: Dare, dare!
Portmarnock ?? You know the old saying …..
If Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch were on the east coast, you would never hear of Portmarnock !!!
@Lulu: just location, infrastructure etc, and we’ll plenty of hotels. Near airport.. lahinch would be brilliant, but not suitable for this size of crowd. U need space between fairways etc for stands
I would be surprised if it happened, what’s in it for the British? Why would they allow the biggest cash generator in their golfing calendar go abroad. It’s not like the tickets aren’t being sold.
Had a tour de France once. Geography should be a school subject.
Why is there some much xenophobia it’s.. the open..a cold competition. We are not giving up sovereignty and rejoining the UK.. get real.
Eamon Dunphy wanted to bring Wimbledon FC to Dublin. Let’s get over the Ryder Cup in limerick first before the Patriots get their stained shorts in a knot.
Unless they are immigrants there will no where to stay
Yes it’s a good idea. And ask RTE to film the whole lot for an extra bonus.
If RTE get broadcasting rights, they might need another Billion Euro bailout, Catherine Martin in on this as well, omg another sh#tshow guaranteed so.
FG are playing a blinder
have your say