Pam Bondi
Attorney General
Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, made headlines as the lead AG in the high-stakes lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, a bold legal battle that aimed to dismantle one of the most significant healthcare reforms in U.S. history. After leaving office, she stirred further controversy by registering as a foreign agent and lobbying for the government of Qatar, raising eyebrows over her post-political alliances. Bondi’s tenure was also clouded by scandal when she accepted a $25,000 donation from Donald Trump’s foundation shortly before her office opted not to investigate Trump University, prompting accusations of a pay-to-play scheme.
Although Matt Gaetz was reportedly not nominated due to serious allegations of misconduct, including a federal investigation into whether he engaged in sexual activity with a minor and violated sex trafficking laws, Pam Bondi was chosen instead—seemingly for her unwavering loyalty to Donald Trump and a political track record that suggests she can be relied upon to support his agenda without question.
Pam Bondi was the lead Attorney General in the unsuccessful lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Pam Bondi, as Florida Attorney General, played a central role in trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2018, she joined a lawsuit with other Republican-led states aiming to repeal the ACA by challenging its constitutionality—specifically targeting the individual mandate that required people to buy health insurance or face a fine.
While the Supreme Court ultimately ruled the mandate unconstitutional, the ACA’s core protections, including coverage for preexisting conditions, remained intact. Bondi’s effort reflected a broader Republican strategy to dismantle the ACA, despite its expansion of coverage to millions and protections against discriminatory insurance practices.
Bondi claims to be tough on drugs, but drug deaths increased under her watch.
"Tough Stance" on Drugs
Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, gained national attention for her tough stance on drug enforcement, particularly targeting "pill mills" that distributed prescription opioids. While her actions were praised for reducing the availability of prescription painkillers, the result was an increase in the use of more dangerous black-market drugs, including fentanyl. Drug-related deaths in Florida surged during her tenure, with the death rate nearly doubling by the time she left office in 2019.
Drug Deaths Increased
Despite her claims of success, data shows that drug deaths increased significantly under her watch. Bondi's focus on cracking down on prescription drugs did little to curb opioid-related deaths, which escalated due to the rise of fentanyl and other illicit substances. Nationally, opioid prescriptions decreased, but overdose deaths continued to rise, demonstrating the unintended consequences of aggressive drug law enforcement. Bondi's record highlights the broader issue of how prohibition-driven policies can worsen the drug crisis by pushing users toward more lethal alternatives.
Bondi claims the Trump Administration has saved "258 Million Lives" (The population of the United States is 340 million - 2024)
Bondi didn't look into complaints about Trump University after Trump paid her $25,000.
Trump University Complaints
Pam Bondi, as Florida Attorney General, faced controversy over her office’s decision not to investigate complaints about Trump University, despite multiple reports of fraud and deceptive practices. After taking office in 2011, Bondi’s office acknowledged receiving complaints about the for-profit school, which had used high-pressure sales tactics and made false claims about its programs. However, instead of opening a formal investigation, Bondi’s office decided not to take action.
Trump's Donation to Bondi's PAC
The timing of this decision raised suspicions, especially after Trump made a $25,000 donation from his family foundation to Bondi’s political action committee in September 2013, just months before the decision not to investigate. This contribution, coupled with her office’s inaction, drew criticism, with some questioning whether there was a conflict of interest. Despite the controversy, Bondi denied any wrongdoing, asserting that she and her office had not been involved in the decision-making process.
Bondi Didn't Pursue the Case
In 2016, Trump settled a lawsuit related to Trump University for $25 million, agreeing to compensate defrauded students. The issue resurfaced as Bondi was nominated for attorney general in the Trump administration, with critics urging senators to question her about the $25,000 donation and the decision not to pursue the case. While an ethics commission found no evidence of illegal conduct, the situation remains a point of scrutiny in Bondi’s career.
Bondi was Trump's lawyer during his first Impeachment trial.
Trump's Lawyer During First Impeachment
Pam Bondi played a key role as one of Donald Trump’s lawyers during his first impeachment trial in 2020. She defended him against allegations of abuse of power, specifically that Trump had tried to withhold U.S. military assistance to Ukraine unless they investigated Joe Biden and his son. Despite the accusations, Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate. Bondi’s involvement in the trial showcased her loyalty to Trump, as she was one of his prominent allies.
America First Policy Institute
Beyond her role in the impeachment trial, Bondi has been a staunch defender of Trump’s actions and an outspoken critic of the criminal cases against him. She chaired the America First Policy Institute, a think tank associated with former Trump administration officials, further solidifying her close relationship with Trump.
Bondi was a lobbyist for Qatar.
Ballard Partners
Pam Bondi faced scrutiny over her role as a foreign lobbyist for the Qatari government. In 2019, she was hired by Qatar through the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, earning $115,000 a month. Her work included providing advice on efforts to combat human trafficking, and she worked with Qatar in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, during which the country introduced labor reforms aimed at ending some of the abuses associated with its "kafala" system. The kafala system had been heavily criticized for enabling exploitation of migrant workers, including wage theft and forced labor. In 2020, Qatar implemented changes that allowed workers to change jobs without employer permission and raised the minimum wage.
Briefly Severed Ties
Bondi severed ties with Qatar and Ballard Partners in November 2019 to briefly take a role in the White House Counsel's office during Trump's first impeachment trial. After the trial, she resumed her lobbying work for Qatar until her registration as a foreign lobbyist ended. Bondi's time lobbying for Qatar has drawn attention due to the country’s human rights record, though it has made some reforms in recent years.
Bondi didn't pursue action against foreclosure mills after receiving donations from Lender Processing Services.
Foreclosure Mills
Pam Bondi, as Florida’s Attorney General, played a key role in protecting foreclosure fraudsters during the housing crisis. In 2010, attorneys June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards uncovered widespread fraud in Florida's "foreclosure mills," where fake documents were used to illegally foreclose on homeowners. Bondi, who had received significant campaign donations from Lender Processing Services (LPS) and its affiliates, interfered with the investigation, freezing Clarkson and Edwards out of the nationwide probe. Despite their crucial role in exposing the fraud, the two attorneys were fired in 2011, and Bondi's office subsequently failed to pursue further action against the foreclosure mills, settling a case for a small $2 million and halting most investigations.
Protecting Corporate Donors
Bondi’s actions, which prioritized corporate interests over public protection, highlight her tendency to shield powerful entities in exchange for political contributions. This pattern continued after her tenure as attorney general when she became a lobbyist for major corporations. Her history of protecting corporate donors raises concerns as she is now nominated for U.S. Attorney General, with critics pointing to her willingness to serve corporate interests at the expense of justice.