President Donald Trump announced Thursday night that Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General and long-time Trump ally, is his nominee for the next Attorney General of the United States. The move came shortly after Representative Matt Gaetz, who had initially been in contention for the position, withdrew his candidacy.
Trump praised Bondi’s extensive legal experience and loyalty to his administration, describing her as an “America First fighter.” In a statement, he highlighted her accomplishments in reducing crime, combating the opioid crisis, and prosecuting violent offenders.
“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said. “Pam has been a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was tough on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families. She is smart, tough, and will refocus the DOJ on fighting crime and making America safe again.”
Bondi’s nomination follows Gaetz’s endorsement of her candidacy. Despite his withdrawal, Gaetz called Bondi a “stellar selection” and lauded her ability to bring much-needed reforms to the Department of Justice.
“Pam Bondi is a proven litigator, an inspiring leader, and a champion for all Americans,” Gaetz stated. “She’s the right choice to restore trust and integrity in the DOJ.”
Despite Bondi’s strong record as a prosecutor and Trump ally, her nomination has sparked controversy among some conservatives. A resurfaced video from the 2016 Republican primary shows Bondi endorsing Jeb Bush over Trump, a decision that many in the MAGA base have interpreted as disloyalty.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, reignited old wounds from the bitterly contested GOP primary. Bondi’s endorsement of Bush, who was seen as the establishment candidate, has led some Trump supporters to question whether she is the right choice to lead the Department of Justice under a Trump administration.
Donald Trump Jr. was quick to defend Bondi against critics, arguing that her endorsement of Jeb Bush during the 2016 primaries was not uncommon at the time and that she has since proven her loyalty to the Trump family and agenda.
“In all fairness, I think my family and I may have been some of the only people who supported Donald Trump in the 2016 GOP primary,” Trump Jr. wrote on social media. “Once he broke through the lies and stereotypes and proved to be a populist leader, that all changed. Pam Bondi was one of his earliest supporters!”
In all fairness I think my family and I may have been some of the only people who supported @realDonaldTrump in the 2016 GOP primary. Once he broke through the lies and stereotypes and proved to be a populist leader that all changed. @PamBondi was one of his earliest supporters! https://t.co/Js8iZGQ8Yo
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 22, 2024
Bondi’s tenure as Florida’s Attorney General and her defense of Trump during his first impeachment trial in 2020 are frequently cited as evidence of her commitment to Trump’s vision. During the trial, Bondi played a pivotal role in countering Democratic allegations by highlighting the Biden-Burisma controversy, earning praise from Trump loyalists at the time.
Bondi’s track record as a tough-on-crime prosecutor and her role in fighting opioid trafficking have earned her respect within conservative circles. However, the resurfaced endorsement video has left some members of the MAGA movement skeptical of her loyalty.
Critics argue that Trump’s Attorney General should be someone whose allegiance to the MAGA movement was unwavering from the beginning. Others, however, see Bondi’s years of dedicated service to Trump as evidence that she has more than proven her commitment to the America First agenda.
President Trump’s nomination of Bondi comes as part of his broader plan to overhaul the Department of Justice. Trump has frequently criticized the DOJ for being weaponized against him and his supporters, promising to restore its original mission of fighting crime and serving the American people.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans,” Trump said in his statement. “Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again.”
Bondi’s nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation. While she is expected to face tough questions about her past endorsement and role in Trump’s administration, her extensive legal experience and track record as a prosecutor are likely to be key factors in her favor.
Whether Bondi can unite the conservative base and gain widespread Republican support remains to be seen. However, with endorsements from key figures like Trump Jr. and Matt Gaetz, Bondi appears poised to take on the challenge of leading the DOJ into what Trump has promised will be a new era of justice reform.
For Bondi, the road ahead may be challenging, but her nomination represents a significant step in Trump’s effort to solidify his vision for a second term.
