Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has recently been named by Donald Trump as his second choice for U.S. attorney general, following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from consideration. This appointment is significant, especially since Bondi has long been seen as one of Trump's loyal allies. Her selection as attorney general is viewed as likely to be confirmed more easily than Gaetz's candidacy would have been.
Trump stated, "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans. Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and Making America Safe Again." This statement underlines Trump's desire to use the appointing power to reshape the Department of Justice to be aligned with his policy priorities and perceived enemies.
Bondi, known for her background as Tampa's native and Florida's first female attorney general, has spent more than 18 years serving as a prosecutor. During her tenure as attorney general, she focused on shutting down illegal "pill mills" and was active on Trump's opioid commission.
After her role as attorney general, she joined the lobbyist firm Ballard Partners, where she worked with big clients like Amazon and General Motors. Her ties to the administration run deep; she has served as co-chair for the right-leaning America First Policy Institute and was part of Trump's impeachment legal team during his Senate trial.
Bondi's previous legal choices have often raised eyebrows. For example, her office decided against investigating Trump University after receiving a donation from Trump’s foundation. This led the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to speculate about the impact of the contribution on her decision-making.
She's been known to defend Trump vigorously, even attending his hush money trial this year, which resulted in Trump being convicted of multiple counts, though sentencing has currently been stayed. Her alliance with Trump has never been subtle, as there have been numerous instances of Bondi publicly backing Trump's claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election. She even suggested there could be fake ballots during her appearances on Fox News.
Bondi’s track record includes controversial statements, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights. While serving as attorney general, she claimed recognizing same-sex marriage would pose significant harm to Floridians. Her opposition to federal policies, including the Affordable Care Act, aligns with Trump’s often combative posture against the previous administration’s regulations.
Now, as she steps back onto the political stage with the possibility of becoming attorney general, many are watching closely to see how her historical loyalty to Trump and her controversial decisions will influence her actions and policies. Bondi's connection to Trump is also financial; records show she holds substantial stocks and warrants tied to Trump Media & Technology Group, which some estimate could be worth around $3.9 million.
The Trump administration's re-emergence is not without its scrutiny, coming at a time when many Americans are deeply divided politically. While Trump seems to be consolidifying his allies, the political ramifications of such appointments, particularly like Bondi's, are yet to be fully understood, leading to speculation about the direction the DOJ may take under her leadership.
