NEW YORK — In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, to be the new U.S. attorney general. This announcement comes just hours after his original choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration due to a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and ethical questions surrounding his suitability for the role.
At 59 years old, Bondi has been a consistent ally of Trump, often mentioned as a potential candidate for high-ranking legal positions during his first term. Trump took to social media on Thursday to share the news of her nomination.
Should the Republican-controlled Senate confirm her appointment, Bondi will likely face intense scrutiny as a member of Trump’s Cabinet. Many Democrats have expressed concerns that Trump may attempt to utilize the Justice Department for personal grievances against those he perceives as adversaries.
Here are some essential points about Pam Bondi:
A Loyal Supporter of Trump
Bondi has been an unwavering supporter of Trump since the beginning. In March 2016, she publicly endorsed him at a rally just prior to the Florida Republican primary, choosing him over fellow Floridian Marco Rubio.
Her prominence grew through her appearances on Fox News, where she defended Trump and played a significant role at the 2016 Republican National Convention, where the crowd chanted “Lock her up” in reference to Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival. Bondi enthusiastically joined in, stating, “‘Lock her up,’ I love that.”
During Trump’s transition to the presidency, she was part of his initial transition team. Although her name was floated as a possible replacement when Jeff Sessions was removed as attorney general in 2018, Trump ultimately selected William Barr for the position.
Even after Trump’s presidency ended, Bondi maintained close ties to his administration, serving as chair of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank established by former Trump aides to prepare for a potential second term.
Breaking Ground as Florida’s First Female Attorney General
Bondi made history in 2010 by becoming the first woman to hold the position of attorney general in Florida. Although she had over 18 years of experience as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, she was relatively unknown in political circles when she took on this prominent role.
Her campaign gained traction after receiving an endorsement from former Alaska governor Sarah Palin during the primary elections. Bondi’s platform focused on strong opposition to then-President Barack Obama’s healthcare law and support for Arizona’s controversial “show me your papers” immigration law.
As attorney general from 2011 to 2019, Bondi prioritized addressing human trafficking, advocating for stricter laws against traffickers during her tenure.
Lobbying for Various Interests
Bondi worked as a lobbyist with Ballard Partners, a well-known Florida firm where Trump’s campaign chief and incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, was a partner. Her U.S. clients included General Motors, the Major League Baseball commissioner, and a Christian anti-human trafficking advocacy group.
Additionally, she lobbied for a Kuwaiti firm and registered as a foreign agent for Qatar, focusing on anti-human trafficking initiatives ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Bondi also represented KGL Investment Company, lobbying various U.S. government entities regarding immigration, human rights, and economic sanctions.
A Key Player in Trump’s First Impeachment
In 2020, Bondi transitioned from lobbying to join Trump’s legal defense team during his first impeachment trial, where he faced allegations of abuse of power for allegedly pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political opponents while withholding vital military aid.
Trump’s actions included pressuring Ukraine’s president to publicly announce an investigation into Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, who had ties to a Ukrainian gas company, all while nearly $400 million in military aid remained on hold. Bondi’s role was to bolster the White House’s messaging and defense efforts, as Trump and his allies aimed to dismiss the impeachment as a partisan maneuver.
Criticism of Legal Proceedings Against Trump
Bondi has publicly criticized the various criminal cases against Trump, describing prosecutor Jack Smith and others involved as “horrible” individuals seeking fame by “weaponizing our legal system.”
It appears unlikely that Bondi will be confirmed in time to interact with Smith, who has initiated two federal indictments against Trump expected to conclude before the new president takes office. While special counsels typically issue reports on their findings, the timing of these releases remains uncertain.
Bondi also joined a coalition of Republicans supporting Trump during his hush money criminal trial, which concluded in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts.
Throughout his presidency, Trump frequently sought investigations into political opponents like Hillary Clinton and attempted to leverage the Justice Department for personal gain, including efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Should she be confirmed, Bondi is expected to align with such initiatives.
If confirmed, she would lead a Justice Department likely to undergo significant transformations in key areas, including civil rights, corporate enforcement, and the prosecution of individuals charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—many of whom Trump has indicated he would consider pardoning.
Political Controversies in Her Past
In 2013, while in office as attorney general, Bondi publicly apologized for attempting to postpone the execution of a convicted murderer because it coincided with a fundraising event for her reelection campaign.
Typically, an attorney general is present during execution dates to address any last-minute legal matters. Bondi later acknowledged her mistake and expressed regret for asking then-Governor Rick Scott to delay the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks.
In 2013, Bondi also personally requested a political contribution from Trump while her office was deliberating whether to join New York in a lawsuit against Trump University over fraud allegations. Trump donated $25,000 to a political committee supporting Bondi from his charitable foundation, which raised questions about legal restrictions against charities engaging in political activities. Following this donation, Bondi’s office opted not to pursue legal action against Trump, citing a lack of sufficient grounds. Both Bondi and Trump have denied any wrongdoing in this matter.
Just two days prior to his inauguration in January 2017, Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle three lawsuits claiming Trump University had defrauded its students. Furthermore, he faced a $2,500 fine from the IRS for the illegal political contribution to support Bondi, an issue stemming from an investigation that led to the dissolution of the Trump Foundation.
A prosecutor assigned by then-Governor Scott ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue bribery charges against either Trump or Bondi related to the $25,000 donation.
___
Long reported from Washington. This report also includes contributions from Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker.
