Donald Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi speaks at a campaign rally (AP/Alex Brandon)

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.

Ms 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.