President-elect Donald Trump announced a second attorney general nominee after a sex scandal and fierce opposition from his Republican colleagues doomed Matt Gaetz’s bid.
In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump said he was “proud” to announce Pam Bondi as his next pick.
Bondi has yet to publicly respond to her attorney general nomination, but Gaetz gave kudos to Trump on a “stellar” selection in a tweet.
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“Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida’s Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house,” he tweeted. “She’s a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all.”
Bondi has been a Florida prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she, according to Trump, was “very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families.”
Bondi became Florida’s first female attorney general in 2011 until 2019. Of Bondi’s legal resume, Trump added in his statement, “She worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many families across our Country.”
According to Trump, Bondi did “such an incredible job” that he asked her to serve on his Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first presidential term.
CNN reported that Bondi’s name began circulating for AG immediately after Gaetz dropped out. But Bondi’s name wasn’t pulled out of the blue. She has appeared numerous times on the campaign trail for his previous presidential bids and she was also among the group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump during his hush money criminal trial, in which he was convicted on 34 counts.
Bondi also served as one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, and since then has been involved with the America First Policy Institute, a think tank helmed by former staffers in Trump’s first administration.
Bondi also spoke at Trump’s rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, days before the election.
“I worked for President Trump. He’s my friend. And I can tell you he surrounds himself with a lot ... all strong, bright, brilliant women,” said Bondi, directly addressing and rebuking Mark Cuban’s previous comment about Trump not being around “intelligent women.”
She added, “I think we have a message for Mark Cuban: ‘Underestimate us. This will be fun.’”
And, most importantly in Trumpland, Bondi is a mainstay on Fox News, recently appearing on Fox & Friends First to discuss possible replacements for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat.
