President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday his decision to nominate Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General and a loyal supporter, as U.S. Attorney General. This move swiftly replaces his previous nominee, Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration following allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
Bondi, 59, brings extensive legal experience to the role, having served as Florida’s top law enforcement officer from 2011 to 2019. She also worked on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term and joined his defense team during his first impeachment trial. During that trial, Trump faced accusations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, but the Senate acquitted him.
Most recently, Bondi played a leading role at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank closely aligned with Trump’s campaign and policy initiatives. In contrast to Gaetz, Bondi’s extensive prosecutorial background positions her as a more conventional choice for the role. “She is certainly qualified for the position on paper,” said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Florida.
Trump praised Bondi’s toughness on crime during her tenure as Florida’s first female attorney general and highlighted her prosecutorial experience in his announcement. He vowed that her leadership would end what he described as the politicization of the Justice Department, which he claimed has been weaponized against him and other Republicans.
Past Controversies
Bondi’s ties to Trump date back to 2013, when the Trump Foundation donated $25,000 to a political action committee supporting her. At the time, Bondi was reportedly considering whether to investigate Trump University, a for-profit venture accused of fraud. Bondi denied any connection between the donation and her decision not to pursue an investigation, attributing her office’s decision to publicly available evidence. Both Trump University and the Trump Foundation later shut down amid fraud investigations, with Trump agreeing to financial settlements.
In her recent work with the America First Policy Institute, Bondi staunchly defended Trump. She contributed to an amicus brief supporting Trump in the classified documents case, arguing that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment was unlawful. A Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, dismissed the case, although the Justice Department has since appealed.
Shifting Justice Department Priorities
Trump’s plans for the Justice Department include a focus on illegal immigration and policies aimed at curbing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Federal prosecutors under Bondi’s leadership will likely prioritize immigration enforcement. Cities hoping to receive funding from the department’s $291 million justice assistance grant program may need to align with federal immigration enforcement initiatives.
Additionally, Trump plans to shift the Civil Rights Division’s focus from police accountability to defending religious freedoms and pursuing legal challenges against diversity programs. These shifts align with Trump’s broader policy agenda, as communicated through public statements and planning efforts led by Mark Paoletta, a conservative attorney shaping his Justice Department strategies.
During his first term, Trump frequently clashed with Justice Department leadership, including former attorneys general Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr. Sessions allowed an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and Barr refuted Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Bondi’s nomination signals Trump’s intent to install a staunch ally to reshape the department according to his vision.
