MSNBC guest in a flummox over Trump's attorney general pick Pam Bondi: 'She's actually competent!'

An MSNBC guest expressed panic at Donald Trump's attorney general pick Sam Bondi because she is 'competent.'

Liberal commentator Jason Johnson made the comments during an appearance on the network on Thursday shortly after Bondi was announced as Trump's AG pick following Matt Gaet'z bowing out of the nomination process.

'Pam Bondi is exactly what we should all fear because she's competent,' Johnson explained.

'Pam Bondi knows what she's doing. She knows what she's doing about immigration - remember, Florida is one of those states that's been very aggressive about migrants and deportations and moving people to different states...

'She is a dangerous and effective pick, and that's frankly worse than what we would have got with Matt Gaetz - even with the deplorable moral background that he has.'

Trump moved quickly to find a new candidate for attorney general on Thursday, announcing the former Florida AG Pam Bondi as his pick to head the nation's legal system.

Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration earlier in the day when it became clear that a lingering scandal meant he did not have the votes to be confirmed in the Senate.

'Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,' Trump posted on Truth Social as he made the announcement.

'Then, as Florida's first female attorney general, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of fentanyl overdose deaths, which have destroyed many families across our country.'

Trump has made clear that he wants a disruptor in the role, someone who will overhaul the Department of Justice and help push through his agenda from day one.

That should have been Gaetz, a combative congressman from Florida. But he withdrew after eight turbulent days in the spotlight.

He had been investigated by the Department of Justice making him a shock choice to lead it. And a drip, drip, drip of headlines about a sex scandal showed no sign of letting up.

'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,' he said in announcing his withdrawal, a day after meeting with senators in an effort to win them over.

The hasty withdrawal by Gaetz and quick pivot to Bondi were the latest examples of Trump’s tumultuous decision-making as he rushes out nominations — some of questionable character and credentials — at a breakneck pace without the government vetting that is 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 might feature the same sort 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 his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed.

Still, even in Trump’s world, things moved fast. Trump had been seeking to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies.

Trump, in a social media post, 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!'