President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the U.S. Department of Justice in his second term, a decision that came quickly but was expected by many in Trump’s inner circle.
Bondi, 59, has become a close ally of Trump in recent years, defending him during his impeachment proceedings and serving as the co-chair of the Center for Law and Justice at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank established by former Trump staffers.
Both Bondi and former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his bid for attorney general, are from Florida and are viewed as strong supporters of Trump, committed to combating what he calls the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.
Despite their similarities, the two have differences in their backgrounds and approaches.
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Pam Bondi speaks during a press conference while on a break from former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty)
Bondi, a native of Florida, has a background as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office before serving as Florida’s first female attorney general. She has been vocal about election security issues, a priority for Republicans during the election season.
If confirmed, Bondi is expected to implement Trump’s tough-on-crime policies, focusing on issues such as cartels, fentanyl, and trafficking.
One member of the Trump transition team pointed to a clip of CNN legal analyst Elie Honig praising Bondi’s qualifications for the role.
Further details about Bondi’s plans were yet to be revealed post her nomination.
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Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi displays a court order granting Trump’s campaign more access to vote counting operations at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Nov. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Bondi’s supporters commend her prosecutorial background and loyalty to Trump, having worked closely with him since 2020.
Bondi is known for her dedication to justice and fairness, aiming to uphold the traditional values of the Justice Department.
“I think she’s going to be able to root out a lot of the bad apples,” said Gianno Caldwell, emphasizing Bondi’s commitment to law and order.
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Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, arrives at the Fiserv Forum on the second day of Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Bondi has been vocal in criticizing Trump critics, including special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate election interference and handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Bondi and Trump share similar views on these matters, with Bondi describing Smith’s team as “horrible people” trying to undermine Trump.
It is expected that Bondi will address these issues during the confirmation process and work towards keeping Americans safe, continuing her dedication to justice.
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Bondi is committed to upholding integrity and the proper application of justice, reinforcing her focus on law and order.
