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The American president-elect is nominating a new candidate for the post of justice minister faster than expected. Once again he is relying on a politician from the state of Florida.
The 59-year-old former prosecutor Pam Bondi is to become justice minister.
Derik Hamilton / AP
The new president is in a hurry. Barely six hours passed on Thursday before Donald Trump presented a new candidate for the post of Attorney General in his future administration following Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal. Pam Bondi, former prosecutor and attorney general in the state of Florida, is “smart and tough” and therefore has the right mix for the important office.
Unlike former Rep. Gaetz, Bondi is not a national political celebrity. The 59-year-old lawyer regularly appears on TV, primarily on Trump’s house channel Fox News Channel. But she has not held any national office so far in her career. In Washington, she has so far only stood out as a loyalist to the former and future president. She defended Trump against allegations of abuse of power during the Ukraine affair, which ended in the first impeachment trial.
Trump University controversy didn’t hurt Bondi
Born on the west coast of Florida, in the greater Tampa area, Bondi made her career as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County in the 1990s. In 2010, the Republican succeeded in becoming Attorney General in the state of Florida. In 2014 she was clearly re-elected, again with well over 50 percent of the vote.
A controversy over a $25,000 Trump campaign donation didn’t hurt her — although Bondi had to defend herself against allegations that she dropped a civil investigation into Trump University in return. (In 2017, a local prosecutor ruled that neither Trump nor Bondi had violated Florida’s criminal laws.)
As Attorney General in the third largest American state, at the end of Bondi’s term in office – a total of eight years – all doors would have been opened. Although she repeatedly flirted with running for higher political office, she ultimately decided against it.
Instead, she enjoyed her closeness to Trump. She last appeared alongside the Republican in the 2024 election campaign. She also worked as a lobbyist for Ballard Partners — the same company that, until 2019, also had Susie Wiles, the future White House chief of staff, on its payroll. Bondi also worked for the right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which acts as a kind of substitute bank for the Republican Party.
Gaetz praises Bondi
Politically, Bondi has remained elusive in recent years. Locally, she dedicated herself entirely to fighting crime, as befits a justice minister. Nationally, she defended Trump across the board. At the beginning of November – shortly before Election Day – she said during an appearance in Gastonia (North Carolina): “President Trump is constantly fighting for us – and if he is out there fighting for us, we will fight for him.”
Bondi differs little from Matt Gaetz in this aspect. He withdrew his candidacy for the post of Justice Minister on Thursday after new details about the private life of the now 42-year-old became known. The House of Representatives Ethics Committee is investigating allegations against Gaetz that revolve around his drug use and sexual offenses with a minor. The representative has been rejecting these allegations for years – but on Thursday he realized that he does not have the majority in the Senate. In an initial reaction, Gaetz called the choice of Pam Bondi “excellent.”
## Interview with Experts on Pam Bondi’s Nomination as Attorney General
**Intro:**
Welcome to “World Today News In Depth.” Today we’re exploring the nomination of Pam Bondi as Attorney General in the upcoming administration. With us are [Guest 1 Name & Credentials – e.g., Political Science Professor specializing in American Politics] and [Guest 2 Name & Credentials – e.g., Former legal analyst for a major news network].
**Section 1: Background and Experience**
**Host**: Let’s start with Pam Bondi’s background. She’s described as a “loyal” figure to the incoming president.
* [Guest 1]: How significant is this prior loyalty in appointing a key cabinet position? Does it raise concerns about potential bias or conflicts of interest?
* [Guest 2]: Bondi has a strong background as a prosecutor in Florida. How might her experience in that role translate to the national stage as Attorney General? What are some potential strengths and weaknesses she brings to the table?
**Section 2: Political Landscape and Controversies**
**Host:** Bondi’s nomination comes after Matt Gaetz withdrew his candidacy amid ethical investigations.
* [Guest 1]: How does Bondi’s selection compare to Gaetz’s?
Does it signal a shift in strategy or priorities for the incoming administration?
* [Guest 2]: The article mentions a past controversy involving Trump University and Bondi potentially dropping an investigation in exchange for a campaign donation. How might this past controversy impact public perception of Bondi’s appointment?
**Section 3: Bondi’s Policy Positions and Future Direction**
**Host:** Looking ahead, what are some potential implications of Bondi’s appointment for key policy areas like criminal justice reform, immigration, or environmental protection?
* [Guest 1]:
Based on Bondi’s past record, what might we expect in terms of her approach to these issues as Attorney General?
* [Guest 2]:
How do you see Bondi’s relationship with Congress potentially playing out? Will she be able to effectively navigate the political landscape and build consensus?
**Section 4: The Bigger Picture**
**Host:** let’s broaden the conversation to the larger context of the incoming administration.
* [Guest 1]: What does Pam Bondi’s appointment tell us about the overall direction of the new administration?
What kind of message does it send to the American people?
* [Guest 2]: How do you see this appointment shaping the legal and political landscape for the foreseeable future?
**Outro:**
Thank you both for sharing your insights. This has been a fascinating look at the upcoming Attorney General’s appointment and its potential impact. The nomination of Pam Bondi is sure to spark debate and discussion, and we will continue to follow developments closely.
