Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at the Republican National Convention on 25 August 2020 in Washington, DC Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a long-time ally of Donald Trump, may become head of the US Department of Justice. The news was announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday, after Congressman Matt Goetz, who had previously applied for the position, was withdrawn due to an ethics scandal, Reutersreports.
Who is Pam Bondi?
Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and has extensive experience in fighting crime and drug abuse. In 2019, she joined Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment, when the then president was accused of putting pressure on Ukraine for political gain.
After that, Bondi worked in the legal department of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank that has been actively working with Trump to shape the policy agenda for his potential second term.
Unlike Goetz, who is at the centre of an investigation into a possible relationship with a 17-year-old girl and drug use, Bondi has an impeccable reputation in the legal community.
“On paper, she’s certainly qualified for the job,” former Florida federal prosecutor David Weinstein told Reuters.
The reason for Goetz’s replacement
The replacement of Matt Goetz has become inevitable due to resistance in the Senate, which must confirm the appointment. According to The Guardian, at least three influential Republican senators – Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski – have said they will not support Goetz because of allegations that pose serious reputational risks.
After a phone conversation with Trump on Thursday morning, Goetz agreed to withdraw his candidacy, admitting that he would not be able to secure the required number of votes in the Senate.
Controversies in Bond’s past
Pam Bondi has repeatedly been at the centre of Trump-related scandals. In 2013, his charitable foundation transferred $25,000 to support her political campaign at a time when Bondi’s office was considering an investigation into Trump University.
The case was widely publicised in 2016, but Bondi denied any links between the donation and the decision not to investigate.
“It’s a series of coincidences and unfortunate mistakes,” the Trump campaign said at the time, justifying its position.
Despite these incidents, Bondi has remained a staunch ally of Trump, supporting his claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
What does this mean for the Trump administration?
Bondi’s appointment may be Trump’s attempt to strengthen his control over the Justice Department, which he has repeatedly criticised for “politicising” cases against him and his associates.
“For too long, the Department of Justice has been used as a political weapon against me and other Republicans. That will end,” Trump said in his address.
This decision will undoubtedly spark a new wave of debate in Washington, as the issue of politicisation of the US justice system has long been on the agenda.
