President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the U.S. Department of Justice in his upcoming term. This decision, though swift, was largely anticipated within Trump's inner circle due to Bondi's close ties to the president-elect.
Bondi, aged 59, has established herself as a staunch ally of Trump, notably 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 founded by former Trump aides.
Similar to former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his candidacy for attorney general, Bondi hails from Florida and is recognized for her unwavering loyalty to Trump. She is committed to addressing what Trump has labeled as the 'weaponization' of the Justice Department.
Despite their shared allegiance to Trump, Bondi and Gaetz differ significantly in their backgrounds. Bondi, a native of Florida, boasts a lengthy career as a prosecutor in the state. She spent 18 years at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office before being elected as Florida's first female attorney general in 2010.
Recently, Bondi has been vocal about election security concerns, particularly amidst the flurry of re-election lawsuits filed by Republicans in key swing states.
If confirmed, Bondi is expected to align with Trump's tough-on-crime policy agenda, focusing on combating cartels, fentanyl, trafficking, and other related issues.
