Trump selects another loyalist from Florida as attorney general: Pam Bondi
Trump expressed in a statement that she will have the ability to “refocus” the Justice Department.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump has announced that he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his attorney general, just hours after his initial choice, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration.
In Bondi, Trump has selected a loyal supporter known for her strong political maneuvers. She notably defended Trump during his first impeachment in 2019 and campaigned with him in the final stretch of the 2024 election. While serving as Florida's attorney general, Bondi received a $25,000 donation from Trump to a political action committee supporting her reelection, a move that drew scrutiny due to her office's investigation into Trump University for alleged fraud.
The attorney general position is expected to play a crucial role in Trump’s second term, as he experienced frustration with the two individuals who held the role during his first term. Trump is likely to rely on Bondi to assist in directing the Justice Department against his political adversaries.
If confirmed, Bondi will face the responsibility of defending several of Trump’s contentious policies, especially those concerning immigration. She will also be expected to help resolve the two federal cases pending against Trump, unless special counsel Jack Smith concludes them before Trump assumes office.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans,” Trump expressed in a social media announcement regarding his nomination. “Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Gaetz, whose initial candidacy for the role was overshadowed by an impending House Ethics report, commended Trump's decision. “She will bring the needed reforms to DOJ,” he wrote on X.
While Bondi may also be seen as a polarizing figure, she is anticipated to be somewhat less controversial than Gaetz, who had limited qualifications for the role and whose main experience with the Justice Department stemmed from its investigation into allegations of child sex trafficking against him. He has denied the accusations and has not faced any charges.
Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, winning her position during the tea party wave that also brought then-Gov. Rick Scott to power. Prior to her role as attorney general, she worked with the chief prosecutor in Tampa and led a high-profile case against guards implicated in the death of Martin Lee Anderson, a teenager in a juvenile boot camp.
During her tenure, Bondi shifted the focus of the attorney general's office from helping to enhance the credentials of previous officeholders to advocating for consumer rights in disputes with utilities and other corporations. Her emphasis was instead placed on criminal cases and addressing human trafficking issues. She faced criticism early in her term for dismissing two employees who were investigating mortgage fraud.
Bondi initiated legal actions against opioid manufacturers in Florida, a case that was settled after her departure from office. She also led an investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests in response to revelations from Pennsylvania.
The $25,000 donation Trump made to her reelection campaign in 2013 came under scrutiny in 2016. This contribution was made while Bondi’s office was contemplating action related to complaints about Trump University, but her office ultimately did not pursue an investigation.
Additionally, Bondi defended Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage, arguing in a court filing that recognizing marriages from other states would disrupt existing Florida law and cause “significant public harm.”
After leaving office due to term limits, she joined lobbyist Brian Ballard, a figure with close ties to Trump. She briefly stepped away from her lobbying role to assist with Trump’s defense during impeachment proceedings in 2019.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
In Bondi, Trump has selected a loyal supporter known for her strong political maneuvers. She notably defended Trump during his first impeachment in 2019 and campaigned with him in the final stretch of the 2024 election. While serving as Florida's attorney general, Bondi received a $25,000 donation from Trump to a political action committee supporting her reelection, a move that drew scrutiny due to her office's investigation into Trump University for alleged fraud.
The attorney general position is expected to play a crucial role in Trump’s second term, as he experienced frustration with the two individuals who held the role during his first term. Trump is likely to rely on Bondi to assist in directing the Justice Department against his political adversaries.
If confirmed, Bondi will face the responsibility of defending several of Trump’s contentious policies, especially those concerning immigration. She will also be expected to help resolve the two federal cases pending against Trump, unless special counsel Jack Smith concludes them before Trump assumes office.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans,” Trump expressed in a social media announcement regarding his nomination. “Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Gaetz, whose initial candidacy for the role was overshadowed by an impending House Ethics report, commended Trump's decision. “She will bring the needed reforms to DOJ,” he wrote on X.
While Bondi may also be seen as a polarizing figure, she is anticipated to be somewhat less controversial than Gaetz, who had limited qualifications for the role and whose main experience with the Justice Department stemmed from its investigation into allegations of child sex trafficking against him. He has denied the accusations and has not faced any charges.
Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, winning her position during the tea party wave that also brought then-Gov. Rick Scott to power. Prior to her role as attorney general, she worked with the chief prosecutor in Tampa and led a high-profile case against guards implicated in the death of Martin Lee Anderson, a teenager in a juvenile boot camp.
During her tenure, Bondi shifted the focus of the attorney general's office from helping to enhance the credentials of previous officeholders to advocating for consumer rights in disputes with utilities and other corporations. Her emphasis was instead placed on criminal cases and addressing human trafficking issues. She faced criticism early in her term for dismissing two employees who were investigating mortgage fraud.
Bondi initiated legal actions against opioid manufacturers in Florida, a case that was settled after her departure from office. She also led an investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests in response to revelations from Pennsylvania.
The $25,000 donation Trump made to her reelection campaign in 2013 came under scrutiny in 2016. This contribution was made while Bondi’s office was contemplating action related to complaints about Trump University, but her office ultimately did not pursue an investigation.
Additionally, Bondi defended Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage, arguing in a court filing that recognizing marriages from other states would disrupt existing Florida law and cause “significant public harm.”
After leaving office due to term limits, she joined lobbyist Brian Ballard, a figure with close ties to Trump. She briefly stepped away from her lobbying role to assist with Trump’s defense during impeachment proceedings in 2019.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
