Trump Taps Former Florida AG Pam Bondi for Attorney General Role

President-elect Donald Trump has named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his nominee for U.S. Attorney General, following the withdrawal of his previous choice, Matt Gaetz. Trump announced the decision via a post on Truth Social, expressing pride in selecting someone with Bondi’s legal background.

Bondi, who graduated from Stetson Law School in 1990, brings nearly three decades of legal experience. She served as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County before making history as Florida’s first female attorney general, a position she held from 2011 to 2019. During her term, Bondi was known for her tough stance on crime, although her attempt to challenge the Affordable Care Act alongside other states ultimately failed.

After her tenure in office, she transitioned into lobbying, joining Ballard Partners, where she represented Qatar as a registered lobbyist. Bondi has also been a staunch ally of Trump, serving as one of his defense attorneys during his first impeachment trial, which focused on allegations surrounding Ukraine.

In her role at the American First Policy Institute, Bondi championed legal initiatives supporting Trump and submitted briefs in ongoing criminal cases against him. Trump’s statement accompanying Bondi’s nomination addressed his grievances with the Justice Department, asserting that it has been misused against Republicans. He emphasized his intent to realign the department’s focus on public safety under Bondi’s leadership.

With Bondi’s selection, three additional key leadership positions have been filled: Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General, Emil Bove as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, and John Sauer as Solicitor General. Each of these individuals has previously represented Trump in various legal matters.

Gaetz, the initial nominee, faced significant controversy, stemming from an impending House Ethics Committee investigation regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. Acknowledging these challenges, Gaetz withdrew after discussions with Senate colleagues, stating that he chose to avoid prolonging what could have been a contentious confirmation process.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced about Gaetz making substantial payments to individuals who later testified against him, prompting further scrutiny into his conduct. Similarly, Trump’s nominee for the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been implicated in allegations of sexual assault that date back to 2017.

As Bondi steps into this pivotal role, her extensive legal background and established rapport with Trump suggest a continuation of the former president’s approach to the Justice Department.