Meet Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for US attorney general (Picture credit: X/@PamBondi)
The United States President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced Pam Bondi, a former Florida’s attorney general and seasoned prosecutor, as his choice for US attorney general, after Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration.
She is known for her staunch support of MAGA supremo and a strong background in law enforcement, Bondi’s nomination signals a major shift in the department of justice‘s (DOJ) priorities.
Who is Pam Bondi?
- Bondi served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, becoming the state’s first woman to hold the position. During her tenure, she earned a reputation for being tough on crime, focusing on combating
drug trafficking and addressing theopioid crisis . - She played a prominent role on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration, underscoring her commitment to tackling drug-related issues.
- Before her political career, Bondi worked for nearly two decades as a prosecutor, handling a wide array of cases and developing a strong background in criminal law. Her prosecutorial experience and focus on public safety have been central to her career.
- Bondi has long been a staunch ally of Donald Trump. She was part of Trump’s defence team during his first impeachment trial, where he faced accusations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.
- Bondi also served as a legal strategist with the
America First Policy Institute , a think tank aligned with Trump’s policies, and has been a vocal defender of the former president during legal and political battles. - Her loyalty extended to the campaign trail, where she made appearances at Trump rallies and supported his claims about election results in the 2020 presidential race. Bondi’s role as a campaign surrogate and her public appearances have solidified her as a key figure within Trump’s political circle.
- Bondi’s career has not been without controversy. In 2017, she faced allegations of accepting a $25,000 donation linked to her office’s decision not to investigate Trump University.
- However, she denied any wrongdoing, and the bribery complaint did not result in charges. Despite these challenges, Bondi has remained a prominent figure in conservative circles.
- Trump has expressed confidence in Bondi’s ability to reform the Department of Justice (DOJ), which he has criticised for alleged partisanship.
- In a statement, Trump praised Bondi’s tough stance on crime, stating that she will refocus the DOJ on its “intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again”, Reuters reported.
- Bondi’s nomination signals a potential redirection of DOJ policies, with a likely emphasis on issues such as illegal immigration, religious freedoms, and combating diversity programmes, according to Reuters.