President-elect Donald Trump wasted little time deciding on one other candidate for legal professional basic after Matt Gaetz dropped his bid amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Pam Bondi, Florida’s legal professional basic for eight years, was a part of Trump’s protection group throughout his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of fraud following the 2020 election. She’s remained in Trump’s orbit since then, persevering with to advise him on authorized issues.
Regardless of the shake-up, Bondi appears simply positioned to select up the mantle on Trump’s objective of overhauling the Justice Division and his pledge for retribution towards political opponents.
“For too lengthy, the partisan Division of Justice has been weaponized towards me and different Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump wrote in his official announcement of Bondi for legal professional basic. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its meant objective of combating Crime, and Making America Secure Once more.”
On this Feb. 22, 2018, file photograph, President Donald Trump watches as Florida Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi speaks throughout a gathering with state and native officers on college security within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home in Washington, D.C.
Mandel Ngan/AFP by way of Getty Pictures, FILE
In August 2023, throughout an look on Fox Information, Bondi railed towards the legal indictments towards Trump and what Fox host Sean Hannity described as a “two-tiered system of justice.”
“When Republicans take again the White Home, and we will probably be again in there in 18 months or much less, you realize what is going on to occur? The Division of Justice, the prosecutors will probably be prosecuted — the unhealthy ones — the investigators will probably be investigated,” she mentioned.
“As a result of the deep state final time period for President Trump, they have been hiding within the shadows,” Bondi continued. “However now, they’ve a highlight on them they usually can all be investigated … We will clear home subsequent time period and that is what has to occur.”
She additionally implied motion might be taken towards President Joe Biden amid Republican allegations that Biden was personally concerned in and benefited from his household’s abroad enterprise dealings, which have but to be supported by direct proof.
“When we have now a brand new administration, completely, Sean. It has to,” Bondi mentioned on the time.
The feedback echo Trump’s personal vows on the marketing campaign path to go after his perceived political enemies, intelligence officers, prosecutors and extra.
Trump in 2016 led chants of “lock her up” towards Hillary Clinton, although he by no means went after her legally as soon as in workplace. Bondi, on the 2016 conference, when the group shouted “Lock her up,” responded: “‘Lock her up,’ I like that.”
On this Nov. 4, 2020, file photograph, former Florida Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi, heart, speaks throughout a information convention on authorized challenges to vote counting in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. At left is Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Trump and at proper is Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for President Trump.
Matt Slocum/AP, FILE
Bondi was additionally a supporter of Trump’s false claims relating to the 2020 election, serving to file a number of unsuccessful lawsuits alleging voter fraud.
She appeared alongside Rudy Giuliani in Philadelphia the day after the 2020 race declaring Trump “gained Pennsylvania” whereas votes have been nonetheless being counted. The state went for President Biden by roughly 80,000 votes.
Critics say the feedback elevate questions as as to whether she might be trusted to implement the legislation.
“As AG, would she drop instances towards violent insurrectionists? Proceed pushing the Large Lie below oath?” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, who subsequent yr will be a part of the Senate, wrote on X. “She must reply these questions and much more throughout her affirmation hearings.”
ABC Information’ Soorin Kim and Peter Charalambous contributed to this report.
