5 Key Points about Pam Bondi: What You Should Know
On Thursday, Donald Trump selected Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to serve as the nation's leading law enforcement official.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump has appointed one of his most steadfast supporters, Pam Bondi, to a crucial position in his second administration. On Thursday, Trump named the former Florida attorney general as the nation’s top law enforcement official, just hours after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amid Senate opposition.
Bondi is currently a partner at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm previously managed by Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The firm's founder, Brian Ballard, is a prominent fundraiser for Trump. Additionally, Bondi serves as co-chair of the law and justice division at the America First Policy Institute, an organization noted for its similarities to a prospective Trump administration.
Having been a longtime ally of Trump, Bondi's name surfaced for various positions within his administration following his 2016 election, although none materialized at that time. Compared to Gaetz, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, Bondi appears to have a more straightforward path to confirmation as attorney general.
Here are five key points about Bondi:
1. **First Female Attorney General in Florida**: Bondi held the position from 2011 to 2019, making history as Florida's first female attorney general. During her tenure, she initiated litigation against opioid manufacturers, which was settled after her departure from office.
2. **Close Ties with Lara Trump**: Bondi shares a strong bond with Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and chair of the Republican National Committee. The two campaigned together for a cause opposing a ban on dog racing in Florida. Recently, Bondi advocated for Lara Trump as a potential replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of State.
3. **Former Lawyer for Trump**: In his first impeachment proceeding, Bondi served as a senior adviser and lawyer, making media appearances to bolster Trump's case. Following his impeachment on charges of power abuse and obstructing congressional inquiries, the Senate ultimately acquitted him.
4. **Handling of the Trump University Case**: In 2016, it was reported that Trump paid a fine of $2,500 following a 2013 improper donation of $25,000 to Bondi’s political campaign. This came before her office decided against pursuing a fraud investigation into Trump University. Although Trump later settled for $25 million regarding fraud claims against the university, Bondi stated she was not aware of the complaints at the time and insisted the contribution did not influence her office's decision.
5. **Public Dog Custody Battle**: Bondi was involved in a notable custody dispute over a St. Bernard she adopted in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The dog's original family sought to reclaim him, but Bondi refused, alleging neglect—a claim the family denied. The matter persisted for 16 months until the two parties reached a settlement, whereby Bondi returned the dog along with food and medication.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Bondi is currently a partner at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm previously managed by Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The firm's founder, Brian Ballard, is a prominent fundraiser for Trump. Additionally, Bondi serves as co-chair of the law and justice division at the America First Policy Institute, an organization noted for its similarities to a prospective Trump administration.
Having been a longtime ally of Trump, Bondi's name surfaced for various positions within his administration following his 2016 election, although none materialized at that time. Compared to Gaetz, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, Bondi appears to have a more straightforward path to confirmation as attorney general.
Here are five key points about Bondi:
1. **First Female Attorney General in Florida**: Bondi held the position from 2011 to 2019, making history as Florida's first female attorney general. During her tenure, she initiated litigation against opioid manufacturers, which was settled after her departure from office.
2. **Close Ties with Lara Trump**: Bondi shares a strong bond with Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and chair of the Republican National Committee. The two campaigned together for a cause opposing a ban on dog racing in Florida. Recently, Bondi advocated for Lara Trump as a potential replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of State.
3. **Former Lawyer for Trump**: In his first impeachment proceeding, Bondi served as a senior adviser and lawyer, making media appearances to bolster Trump's case. Following his impeachment on charges of power abuse and obstructing congressional inquiries, the Senate ultimately acquitted him.
4. **Handling of the Trump University Case**: In 2016, it was reported that Trump paid a fine of $2,500 following a 2013 improper donation of $25,000 to Bondi’s political campaign. This came before her office decided against pursuing a fraud investigation into Trump University. Although Trump later settled for $25 million regarding fraud claims against the university, Bondi stated she was not aware of the complaints at the time and insisted the contribution did not influence her office's decision.
5. **Public Dog Custody Battle**: Bondi was involved in a notable custody dispute over a St. Bernard she adopted in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The dog's original family sought to reclaim him, but Bondi refused, alleging neglect—a claim the family denied. The matter persisted for 16 months until the two parties reached a settlement, whereby Bondi returned the dog along with food and medication.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
