Columbia Standard

Pam Bondi, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, has emerged as a potential candidate for Attorney General under Trump's administration. Known for her loyalty to Trump, Bondi's actions and statements have raised concerns about the independence of the Justice Department.

During Trump's presidency, loyalty was a key criterion for his selection of an Attorney General. This was evident when Jeff Sessions was dismissed after refusing to oversee the Mueller investigation. Bill Barr, who succeeded Sessions, also faced criticism from Trump despite his efforts to protect him and his allies.

Reports suggest that Trump's transition team is conducting loyalty tests focusing on candidates' allegiance to Trump and their stance on recent political events. Pam Bondi has reportedly passed these tests due to her history of supporting Trump, including her involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Bondi has publicly called for the prosecution of career prosecutors and FBI agents. She also participated in chants against political opponents at the Republican National Convention. Her actions have drawn criticism from U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, who expressed concerns about her potential appointment as Attorney General.

Durbin stated: “Pam Bondi appears to have the ultimate qualification to be Attorney General in Donald Trump’s view, and it has nothing to do with the American people and everything to do with himself—loyalty. Pam Bondi has passed Donald Trump’s Attorney General Loyalty Test with flying colors, whether by peddling election lies or saying she will prosecute perceived enemies, and her unflinching loyalty to the President-elect raises serious concerns about the future of an independent Justice Department.”

The situation continues to unfold as discussions around Bondi's potential role intensify.