Pam Bondi’s Journey From Traditional Republican to Warrior for Trump

The day before Florida’s 2016 presidential primary, state Attorney General Pam Bondi caught many of her fellow Republicans by surprise when she endorsed Donald J. Trump at a rally in Tampa, her hometown.

At the time, her preferred candidate, former Governor Jeb Bush, had just dropped out of the race, while Senator Marco Rubio, another Florida politician, was struggling to stay competitive. Despite Florida’s strong Republican presence, few prominent Republicans had yet endorsed Trump — and none at Bondi’s level.https://wordpress.com/

“I made a promise to Jeb, and once he exited the race, I gave my commitment to Donald Trump,” Bondi explained in a statement.

For Bondi, Trump represented an outsider with no prior political experience — a similarity she saw in herself. She had first won the office of state attorney general in 2010, during the Tea Party surge, which brought non-politicians like her into the fold of the Republican Party.

By 2016, Bondi had become a fixture in Florida’s political establishment, but she saw the party at a crossroads. Her early endorsement of Trump turned out to be a key move, ultimately positioning her as a leading candidate for the role of U.S. attorney general when Trump took office.

Adam Goodman, a political consultant in Tampa who had mentored Bondi during her 2010 campaign, noted, “It’s rare for someone to stand by you when it’s not the popular thing to do. That’s something you don’t forget.”

Over the next eight years, as Florida transformed into Trump’s political stronghold, Bondi’s allegiance shifted from traditional Republicanism to staunch loyalty to Trump. She became a trusted adviser, playing key roles as his impeachment lawyer and confidante, advancing in the president-elect’s inner circle thanks to her charisma, political savvy, and light touch, honed during her years as a prosecutor and politician.

Florida became home to a variety of Trump-aligned Republicans, from firebrand figures like Matt Gaetz to more establishment figures like Bondi, who, despite taking a small risk with her early endorsement, became one of Trump’s more reliable supporters. This loyalty eventually made her the safe choice when Gaetz’s appointment as attorney general fell apart due to scandal.

Palm Beach County’s Democratic attorney, Dave Aronberg, who worked with Bondi as her drug czar in the attorney general’s office, acknowledged their political differences but expressed relief at Trump’s choice. “She’s very loyal to him,” he said, though adding, “I don’t believe she would break the law just to carry out a policy.”

Despite this, critics argue that Bondi’s unwavering loyalty to Trump, including her role on his impeachment defense team and her backing of his 2020 election fraud claims, could undermine the Justice Department’s independence.

Bondi’s critics also point to her office’s decision in 2013 not to pursue an investigation into Trump University after the Trump Foundation made a $25,000 donation to a political action committee she was associated with. An ethics panel later found no probable cause for a legal violation, but the incident has raised questions about her impartiality.

The Trump transition team dismissed the Trump University controversy as “old, discredited news,” and declined to comment further on Bondi’s career or make her available for an interview.

Bondi’s rise remained unhampered by controversy. She won re-election in 2014 by a 13-point margin, and after leaving office in 2019, she joined Ballard Partners, a leading lobbying firm, where she worked with clients like Amazon, Uber, and the Qatari government. Even some former political opponents have praised her amiable nature and stay in touch.

“Something my dad always told me: Never burn bridges,” Bondi said in a 2013 commencement speech at her alma mater, Stetson University College of Law.

A fourth-generation Floridian born in 1965, Bondi grew up in Tampa, the eldest of three children. Her father, a former mayor and educator, instilled in her a sense of public service. After earning her degree from the University of Florida, she went on to Stetson University Law School, where she eventually became a prosecutor in Hillsborough County, where she built a reputation as a tenacious and effective trial lawyer.

Bondi’s charisma helped her win over juries. Nicholas Cox, her boss for several years, noted, “Juries loved her,” thanks to her ability to connect with people. Her effective prosecution made her a media favorite, frequently appearing as a legal analyst on CNN and Fox News.

Though she never ran for Hillsborough County’s top prosecutor position, Bondi ran for state attorney general in 2010 and won. She campaigned as an outsider with real-world experience, defeating Democratic opponent Dan Gelber by 13 points. Despite their political differences, Gelber remains on good terms with Bondi, sharing that she would occasionally text him when he appeared on Fox News, telling him to “get off her channel.”

As Florida’s first female attorney general, Bondi took a hardline stance on issues like opposing same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization. She also played a central role in efforts to shut down illegal pill mills selling prescription drugs. While serving as attorney general, she became a national figure in the Republican Party, especially for her fight against the Affordable Care Act.

In a controversial moment, Gov. Rick Scott rescheduled an execution at Bondi’s request to accommodate her re-election fundraiser. Bondi later admitted it was a mistake.

Bondi also became embroiled in a media frenzy over a custody battle involving a St. Bernard dog she adopted after Hurricane Katrina. The case ended with Bondi returning the dog to its original owners, but the media coverage gave her an additional dose of public scrutiny.

Despite these controversies, Bondi remained well-liked within law enforcement circles. Luther Strange, former attorney general of Alabama, said, “She was very well liked and had a very cordial way of working with folks,” noting that her collaborative approach and prosecutorial background would serve her well as U.S. attorney general.

“You need someone in that role who respects the tremendous power prosecutors hold,” Strange added. “And I think she does.”