By Jeremy Diamond and Sarah Westwood, CNN
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is considering former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, sources familiar with the matter said.
Trump fired Sessions on Wednesday without immediately naming a replacement, instead installing Sessions’ chief of staff Matthew Whitakeras acting attorney general.
Christie, a former US attorney, could face similar calls to the ones Sessions faced to recuse himself from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation given his role as a prominent 2016 campaign surrogate for Trump. Christie was initially considered as a contender for the attorney general position during the transition.
Bondi could face significant hurdles to confirmation over the controversy surrounding a $25,000 gift she received from Trump’s foundation during her 2016 re-election campaign.
Neither Christie nor the White House immediately responded to a request for comment.
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