NEW YORK — Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been appointed by Donald Trump as the new U.S. attorney general, following the withdrawal of his original nominee, Matt Gaetz, who stepped down amidst a federal investigation related to sex trafficking and ethical issues that raised concerns about his confirmation prospects.

At the age of 59, Bondi has been a loyal supporter of Trump for many years, often mentioned as a potential candidate for the top legal role during his first term. Trump announced her nomination via social media on Thursday.

Should she gain confirmation from the Republican-dominated Senate, Bondi will likely face intense scrutiny as a member of Trump’s Cabinet. Many Democrats are worried that Trump might use the Justice Department for personal agendas against those he perceives as adversaries.

Here are some important aspects to know about Pam Bondi:

A Loyal Supporter of Trump

Bondi has been one of Trump’s earliest and most steadfast allies. In March 2016, she publicly endorsed him at a rally just before the Florida Republican primary, opting for him over fellow Floridian Marco Rubio.

She reached national prominence through her appearances on Fox News, defending Trump. During the 2016 Republican National Convention, she played a significant role, as the audience chanted “Lock her up” in reference to Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival. Bondi responded with enthusiasm, declaring, “‘Lock her up,’ I love that.”

As Trump transitioned to the presidency, she was part of his initial transition team. When Jeff Sessions was ousted as attorney general in 2018, Bondi’s name surfaced as a potential replacement, although Trump ultimately chose William Barr.

Even after Trump’s presidency ended, Bondi remained in his inner circle, taking on the role of chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank formed by former Trump staffers to strategize for a possible second term.

Trailblazer as Florida’s First Female Attorney General

In 2010, Bondi made history by being appointed Florida’s first female attorney general. Although she had over 18 years of experience as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, she was relatively unknown in political circles when she took on this prominent role.

Her campaign gained traction after receiving an endorsement from former Alaska governor Sarah Palin during the primary. Bondi campaigned on a platform that included strong opposition to then-President Barack Obama’s healthcare law and support for Arizona’s contentious “show me your papers” immigration law.

As attorney general from 2011 to 2019, she prioritized combating human trafficking, advocating for stricter state laws against traffickers during her tenure.

Lobbying for Domestic and International Interests

Bondi worked as a lobbyist with Ballard Partners, a well-known Florida firm where Trump’s campaign chief and incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, was a partner. Her clients included General Motors, the Major League Baseball commissioner, and a Christian anti-human trafficking advocacy group.

She also lobbied for a Kuwaiti firm and registered as a foreign agent for Qatar, focusing on anti-human trafficking efforts in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup. Additionally, Bondi represented KGL Investment Company, engaging with various U.S. government entities on issues like immigration, human rights, and economic sanctions.

Defending Trump During His First Impeachment

In 2020, Bondi shifted her focus from lobbying to join Trump’s legal defense team during his first impeachment trial. He faced allegations of abuse of power for purportedly pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political opponents while withholding vital military aid, as well as obstruction of Congress.

Trump aimed to have the Ukrainian president publicly announce an investigation into Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, who had ties to a Ukrainian gas company, all while around $400 million in military aid was pending. Bondi’s role was to bolster the White House’s defense messaging as Trump and his allies sought to portray the impeachment as a partisan attack.

Critique of Trump’s Legal Troubles

Bondi has not shied away from criticizing the criminal cases against Trump, describing prosecutor Jack Smith and others involved as “horrible” individuals who are attempting to gain fame by “weaponizing our legal system.”

It appears unlikely that Bondi will be confirmed in time to engage with Smith, who has filed two federal indictments against Trump that are expected to wrap up before the new president takes office. While special counsels typically release reports detailing their findings, the timing of such disclosures remains uncertain.

Additionally, Bondi joined a group of Republicans in supporting Trump during his hush money criminal trial, which concluded in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts.

During his presidency, Trump frequently sought investigations into opponents like Hillary Clinton and attempted to manipulate the Justice Department for his own benefit, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Bondi seems positioned to back such initiatives.

If confirmed, she would lead a Justice Department likely to see substantial shifts in areas such as civil rights, corporate enforcement, and the prosecution of many individuals charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—many of whom Trump has promised to pardon.

Controversies in Her Political Career

In 2013, while she was attorney general, Bondi issued a public apology for attempting to delay the execution of a convicted murderer because it coincided with a fundraising event for her reelection campaign.

As a rule, the attorney general is expected to be available during execution dates to handle any last-minute legal complications. Bondi later acknowledged her mistake and expressed regret for asking then-Governor Rick Scott to postpone Marshall Lee Gore’s execution by three weeks.

In 2013, Bondi also directly solicited a political contribution from Trump while her office was deliberating whether to join New York in a lawsuit against Trump University concerning fraud allegations. Trump donated $25,000 to a political committee supporting Bondi from his charitable foundation, which breached legal restrictions against charities participating in political activities. After receiving the contribution, Bondi’s office opted not to pursue legal action against Trump, citing a lack of sufficient grounds. Both Bondi and Trump have denied any wrongdoing.

Just two days before his inauguration in January 2017, Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle three lawsuits claiming Trump University defrauded its students. He was also fined $2,500 by the IRS for the illegal political contribution to support Bondi, as part of an investigation that ultimately led to the dissolution of the Trump Foundation.

A prosecutor appointed by then-Governor Scott concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue bribery charges against either Trump or Bondi regarding the $25,000 donation.

___

Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker contributed to this report.