Trump Taps Pam Bondi as Attorney General Nominee: What You Need to Know
Just hours after former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for Attorney General, President-elect Donald Trump announced Pam Bondi as his pick for the role.
In his announcement, Trump praised Bondi's qualifications, saying, "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again."
"I have known Pam for many years – She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!" Trump added.
Bondi, 59, currently chairs the Center for Litigation and co-chairs the Center for Law and Justice at the America First Policy Institute.
Background and Career
Pam Bondi is a Tampa native who earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson Law School. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991 and spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, handling cases ranging from domestic violence to murder.
In 2010, Bondi made history by becoming Florida's first female Attorney General. During her tenure, she was known for her staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and her focus on human trafficking. Bondi also took significant steps to address Florida’s opioid crisis, including shutting down pill mills. She served in the role until 2019.
Ties to Trump
Bondi has a long history of working closely with President Trump. She served as one of his defense attorneys during his first impeachment trial in 2020, where she argued that the President had committed no crime. "They have not charged the president with any crime because the president did nothing wrong," Bondi said at the time.
Bondi also worked with Trump on his Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term, collaborating with national leaders on prevention and treatment efforts.
Political and Business Connections
Bondi is a partner at Ballard Partners, a Florida-based lobbying firm with close ties to Trump and his incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The firm, which represents corporate clients, earned more than $70 million in lobbying fees during Trump’s first term, according to federal disclosures. Wiles, who played a key role in Trump’s 2016 campaign, is also a partner at Ballard Partners.
Bondi’s Support for Trump
Throughout Trump's legal battles, Bondi has been a vocal and steadfast supporter. She has publicly criticized the prosecutions against him and appeared alongside him in New York City during his hush money trial.
Bondi’s strong ties to Trump and her leadership on various legal and policy fronts position her as a prominent figure in his administration as the new Attorney General nominee.
