Pam Bondi: What We Know About Trump's New Pick For AG After ...

8 hours ago

Forbes

Topline

President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general Thursday, making the pick just hours after former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., withdrew from consideration amid a flurry of sexual misconduct allegations.

Bondi was nominated as AG on Thursday evening. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL ... [+] NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images Key Facts

Bondi, 59, will be tasked with refocusing “the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Trump said in a statement.

Bondi has worked as a prosecutor for more than 18 years, according to her profile page at the Ballard Partners lobbying firm, where she now works, and served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and was a part of Trump’s legal team during his 2020 impeachment trial.

Bondi is also a 2020 election denier who insisted Trump won Pennsylvania (he lost the state to President Joe Biden by about 81,000 votes) and oversaw voting-related lawsuits following the election, according to The New York Times.

The former Florida AG was once accused of taking a $25,000 donation allegedly linked to her office’s decision to not investigate alleged fraud at Trump University, though she denied the donation’s link to the inaction and avoided charges over a bribery complaint that fell flat in Florida in 2017.

Bondi also served on Trump’s short-lived Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis during his prior administration, which was chaired by former New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

Bondi made speaking appearances at some Trump rallies during the latter days of the president-elect’s campaign.

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What Do We Know About Bondi’s Lobbying Work?

After finishing her term as Florida Attorney General in 2019, Bondi joined Ballard Partners—one of Washington’s most influential lobbyist groups during Trump’s first term. Bondi was registered to lobby for several clients including the Government of Qatar, General Motors, Amazon and Major League Baseball. Records from this year show Bondi is registered as a lobbyist for several law enforcement-linked groups including the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund and Major County Sheriffs of America. According to her profile on the Ballard Partners website, she chairs the firm’s Corporate Regulatory Compliance practice. Susie Wiles, the co-chair of Trump’s campaign and the president-elect’s White House Chief Of Staff pick, also worked with the lobbying firm from 2011 to 2022.

What Other Roles Has Bondi Served In Recently?

Bondi is also part of the right-wing pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute, which has reportedly been a key influence on the president-elect’s policy agenda. According to her profile on the think tank’s website, Bondi serves as the chair of its Center For Litigation and the co-chair of its Center for Law and Justice. Bondi co-authored several of the think tank’s legal briefs in support of Trump in the New York hush money case and the federal classified documents case.

Tangent

GOP lawmakers reacted positively to Bondi’s nomination on Thursday night. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., tweeted: “Ann and I are thrilled for our great friend and our next Attorney General Pam Bondi! For 8 years I worked alongside Pam to keep Florida safe, and I’m looking forward to working with her to keep our nation safe!” Sen. Linsey Graham, R-S.C., said Bondi’s nomination was a “grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick,” adding that she will be “confirmed quickly because she deserves to be confirmed quickly.” Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Miss., congratulated Bondi and said, “She’ll be an incredible Attorney General.”

Surprising Fact

Bondi’s selection Thursday evening was somewhat unexpected, with figures like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Trump attorney Todd Blanche considered among the top contenders for the role after Gaetz withdrew.

Key Background

Trump has made a swath of Cabinet picks within the last two weeks, nominating campaign allies and loyalists to top positions at agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. One of Trump’s first picks was Gaetz, who he controversially tapped to head the Justice Department. Following his nomination, the former congressman faced increased scrutiny over allegations he paid for sex and had sexual relations with a minor. The House Ethics Committee has investigated the allegations since last year and was set to release details on its probe before Gaetz resigned from Congress, removing him from the purview of the committee’s investigation. Gaetz removed himself from consideration Thursday amid further scrutiny, opening the attorney general position to Bondi.

Crucial Quote

Gaetz praised the pick in a tweet Thursday evening, calling it a “stellar selection” and labeling Bondi “an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans.”