Who is Pam Bondi, Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general?

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has chosen Pam Bondi as his candidate for attorney general, just a few hours after Matt Gaetz, his initial selection, stepped back from the running.

If approved by the Senate, Bondi would lead the justice department, overseeing its budget of approximately $45 billion (£35.7 billion).

As Florida's first female attorney general, she would take on a vital role in addressing any legal disputes regarding Trump's policies and in carrying out his promise to transform the department.

Some view Bondi, 59, as a less contentious option compared to Gaetz, who has been under fire due to accusations of sexual misconduct.

Gaetz has refuted the allegations but expressed his desire to sidestep a prolonged conflict in Washington by stepping back.

In a social media update announcing his choice, Trump stated: "The politically biased Department of Justice has unfairly targeted me and fellow Republicans for too long - that ends now."

Pam will realign the Department of Justice with its original mission of combating crime and enhancing safety in our country. I've known Pam for a long time—she's intelligent, resilient, and a strong advocate for putting America first. I have no doubt she will excel as Attorney General!

Bondi holds a position as a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank established by former Trump administration officials, where she leads the legal division. Additionally, she has been a member of Trump's commission focused on opioid and drug addiction issues.

Bondi, a close supporter of Trump for many years, was a member of his legal team during the first impeachment trial. She also played a role when false allegations were made about the 2020 election being rigged because of supposed voter fraud.

She also demonstrated her support for him by attending his hush money trial in New York, which concluded in May with a guilty verdict on 34 fraud charges.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Bondi pursued a degree in criminal justice at the University of Florida in 1987. Three years later, she earned her professional law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She became a member of the Florida Bar in 1991.

Prior to her political career, Bondi worked as a prosecutor for over 18 years at the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, handling various cases that included everything from domestic violence to serious murder charges, as stated on her lobbying firm's profile.

In 2010, she became the first woman to serve as attorney general in Florida, gaining backing from former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She focused her efforts on tackling issues like opioid addiction, synthetic drugs, and human trafficking.

Bondi has had a connection with Trump for several years. She has been backing him since his campaign in 2016 and recently referred to him as a "friend" when speaking to voters at a rally.

In 2016, both Trump and Bondi faced criticism regarding a $25,000 donation he had made in 2013 to support her campaign for re-election as Florida's attorney general.

The payment occurred during a period when Bondi's office was said to be debating whether to launch a fraud inquiry into Trump University.

The investigation into the fraud never took place, even though Bondi claimed that her decision wasn't swayed by the donation she got.

Bondi has openly criticized the criminal charges brought against Trump and has expressed her discontent with Jack Smith, the special counsel from the justice department, as well as other prosecutors involved in the two federal cases against the president-elect.

She referred to them as “terrible” individuals, claiming they were attempting to build their reputations by targeting Donald Trump and manipulating the legal system, according to reports from the AP.

In May, she expressed to Fox News that a significant level of confidence in the justice system had been eroded following Trump's conviction on 34 charges of falsifying business documents during his landmark criminal trial.

"It's a disappointing day for our legal system," she remarked.

A number of Republican senators have voiced their endorsement for Bondi's appointment. Lindsey Graham, who represents South Carolina, praised the choice by saying it’s a “grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal selection.”

Eric Schmitt, the senator from Missouri, called Bondi an "excellent selection."