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Meet Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for US attorney general (Picture credit: X/@PamBondi)
The United States President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced
Pam Bondi
, a former Florida's attorney general and seasoned prosecutor, as his choice for
US attorney general
, after Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from consideration.
She is known for her staunch support of MAGA supremo and a strong background in law enforcement, Bondi's nomination signals a major shift in the
department of justice
's (DOJ) priorities.
Who is Pam Bondi?
- Bondi served as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, becoming the state’s first woman to hold the position. During her tenure, she earned a reputation for being tough on crime, focusing on combating drug trafficking and addressing the opioid crisis.
- She played a prominent role on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration, underscoring her commitment to tackling drug-related issues.
- Before her political career, Bondi worked for nearly two decades as a prosecutor, handling a wide array of cases and developing a strong background in criminal law. Her prosecutorial experience and focus on public safety have been central to her career.
- Bondi has long been a staunch ally of Donald Trump. She was part of Trump’s defence team during his first impeachment trial, where he faced accusations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.
- Bondi also served as a legal strategist with the America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump’s policies, and has been a vocal defender of the former president during legal and political battles.
- Her loyalty extended to the campaign trail, where she made appearances at Trump rallies and supported his claims about election results in the 2020 presidential race. Bondi’s role as a campaign surrogate and her public appearances have solidified her as a key figure within Trump’s political circle.
- Bondi’s career has not been without controversy. In 2017, she faced allegations of accepting a $25,000 donation linked to her office’s decision not to investigate Trump University.
- However, she denied any wrongdoing, and the bribery complaint did not result in charges. Despite these challenges, Bondi has remained a prominent figure in conservative circles.
- Trump has expressed confidence in Bondi’s ability to reform the Department of Justice (DOJ), which he has criticised for alleged partisanship.
- In a statement, Trump praised Bondi’s tough stance on crime, stating that she will refocus the DOJ on its "intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again", Reuters reported.
- Bondi’s nomination signals a potential redirection of DOJ policies, with a likely emphasis on issues such as illegal immigration, religious freedoms, and combating diversity programmes, according to Reuters.
