Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been chosen by President-elect Trump as his nominee to lead the Department of Justice. This decision came quickly after Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, withdrew his candidacy for the role.
Trump, praising Bondi’s capabilities, wrote on Truth Social that she would redirect the DOJ toward combating crime and ensuring national safety. He described Bondi as a longtime ally, calling her a “smart and tough” advocate of his “America First” agenda.
Bondi’s selection reflects Trump’s continued reliance on loyal supporters from his impeachment defense team
Bondi’s selection marks Trump’s second appointment of someone who supported him during impeachment proceedings. As part of his first impeachment defense team, she temporarily stepped away from her role at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with ties to Trump’s campaigns. Bondi later rejoined the firm, which was established by Brian Ballard, a prominent Florida lobbyist and key supporter of Trump’s 2016 presidential bid.
Bondi has been a visible Trump supporter, including her presence at his New York criminal trial earlier this year. On radio, she recently criticized special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors for targeting Trump, accusing them of politicizing the legal system.
During her tenure as Florida attorney general from 2011 to 2019, Bondi opposed several Obama-era policies, including the Affordable Care Act, and defended the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Currently, she chairs the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank collaborating with Trump’s transition team, while maintaining her role at Ballard Partners.
Her nomination follows Gaetz’s controversial selection, which drew backlash due to his previous investigation in a sex trafficking case. Although charges were not pursued, his nomination faced strong opposition in the Senate. Gaetz at the end withdrew, citing the distraction his candidacy had caused.
Unlike Gaetz, Bondi’s nomination has garnered widespread support among Senate Republicans. Senator Lindsey Graham, poised to lead the Judiciary Committee, expressed enthusiasm, predicting a quick confirmation process. Others, like Senator Eric Schmitt, also praised her as an excellent choice.
While Bondi’s selection appears to ease tensions within the Senate, she is not without her own controversies. She has been criticized for supporting Trump’s false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election and for accepting a $25,000 donation from Trump in 2013 while considering fraud cases against Trump University. Additionally, she once requested the delay of an execution to accommodate a campaign fundraiser, an act for which she later apologized.
