Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been selected as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, following the withdrawal of his previous choice, former Representative Matt Gaetz. The announcement came Thursday evening through Trump’s Truth Social platform, marking a swift transition in leadership candidates for the Department of Justice.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump declared in his announcement. He expressed confidence in Bondi’s capabilities, describing her as “smart and tough” and an “AMERICA FIRST Fighter” who would “do a terrific job as Attorney General.”
The nomination change occurred after Gaetz, selected just last week, withdrew from consideration. Sources close to the situation revealed that Trump personally called Gaetz on Thursday to inform him that he lacked sufficient Senate support for confirmation. Gaetz’s nomination had faced significant challenges, particularly concerning an unreleased House Ethics Committee investigative report examining allegations of misconduct. While Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations and faces no criminal charges, the pending investigation complicated his confirmation prospects.
Bondi’s selection wasn’t unexpected in Trump’s inner circle. She had been under consideration before Gaetz’s initial nomination, and sources familiar with the deliberations indicated that Trump has long considered her one of his preferred legal advisors. The decision to nominate her came after a personal meeting at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump officially offered her the position Thursday evening.
Bondi brings significant legal and political experience to the nomination. Her career spans more than a decade in Florida’s legal system, beginning as a prosecutor in Tampa before serving two terms as the state’s attorney general. During her tenure as Florida’s top prosecutor, she developed a reputation for being both media-savvy and an effective litigator.
Her political career gained momentum during the conservative tea party movement, and she became increasingly prominent in national Republican politics. As Florida’s attorney general, she took on several high-profile cases and initiatives:
- Led a significant but unsuccessful challenge to the Affordable Care Act in 2012
- Defended Florida’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
- Handled various consumer protection cases
- Made regular appearances on national news networks
- Served as a key Florida surrogate for Trump’s 2016 campaign
Bondi’s connections to Trump’s political orbit run deep. She has:
- Served as a White House legal advisor
- Defended Trump during his first Senate impeachment trial
- Chaired the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute
- Participated in legal challenges supporting Trump’s positions, including a recent amicus brief challenging Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment
Her career hasn’t been without controversy. In 2014, she faced scrutiny over a $25,000 contribution that Trump’s foundation made to her political action committee during her reelection campaign. Democratic lawmakers questioned her decision not to pursue investigations into Trump University fraud allegations after receiving the donation. However, a Florida ethics panel ultimately cleared her of any wrongdoing in the matter.
After leaving public office, Bondi joined Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with strong Trump connections. During her time there, she represented Qatar from 2019 to 2020, according to federal foreign agent registration documents.
Unlike her predecessor nominee, Bondi’s confirmation prospects appear more favorable, according to Trump’s allies. Her extensive experience as a state attorney general and established relationships with Capitol Hill lawmakers are seen as significant advantages in the confirmation process. However, she will still need to navigate Senate approval once formally nominated.
The transition team has expressed optimism about Bondi’s chances, with one source close to Trump describing her as “a solid choice” with better confirmation prospects than previous candidates. Her selection represents a strategic shift toward a nominee with both extensive legal experience and strong ties to Trump’s political movement.
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