The United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has announced Pam Bondi as his new nominee for position of Attorney General.
The decision came just hours after Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amid controversy.
Gaetz, who has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl and drug use, denied all allegations but cited the scrutiny as his reason for stepping aside.
Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and has longstanding ties to Trump. She was a member of his Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration and later joined his defense team during his 2020 impeachment trial. In recent years, Bondi has worked with the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank shaping policy for Trump’s incoming administration.
Announcing the nomination on social media, Trump described Bondi as a tough and experienced prosecutor. “She is certainly qualified for the position on paper,” said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Florida now working as a defense attorney. “She spent her life prosecuting cases. She has a resume, as compared to the last nominee.”
Trump, who was critical of the Department of Justice, emphasised Bondi’s ability to depoliticise federal prosecutions. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans—Not anymore,” he stated.
Bondi’s connection to Trump predated his presidency. In 2013, the Trump Foundation donated $25,000 to a political action committee supporting Bondi while her office was considering an investigation into Trump University. Critics alleged a conflict of interest, but Bondi denied any connection between the donation and her decision not to pursue legal action.
Both Trump University and the Trump Foundation were later shuttered following fraud investigations in New York. Trump paid a $25 million settlement to resolve claims against Trump University and was fined $2 million for misusing charitable funds.
Bondi’s nomination signalled significant changes for the Department of Justice under Trump’s leadership. Federal prosecutors were expected to prioritize immigration enforcement, with grant funding tied to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Civil Rights Division may pivot from police accountability to defending religious freedoms and opposing diversity and inclusion programs.
Bondi was also an active defender of Trump in his ongoing legal battles. She contributed to a legal brief supporting Trump’s stance in the classified documents case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith. The case was dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon, prompting a Justice Department appeal.
Bondi’s confirmation process is expected to draw attention to her close ties to Trump and her record in Florida. However, her extensive prosecutorial experience and high-profile defense of Trump could bolster her credentials.
“She has a proven track record as a tough prosecutor,” Trump said. “Pam Bondi will restore fairness to the Department of Justice.”
Bondi’s nomination underscored the sharp contrasts between her and Gaetz, whose lack of traditional legal qualifications and controversial history likely would have faced resistance in the Senate.
