Pam Bondi, a longtime loyalist to President-elect Donald Trump and his pick for attorney general, is headed to Capitol Hill next week to start meetings with key Republicans in Congress, paving the way for a smooth confirmation.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced Friday that he would meet with Bondi on Monday morning.
TRUMP CABINET PICKS: WHO’S BEEN TAPPED TO SERVE IN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT’S ADMINISTRATION
Grassley is poised to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has long been tasked with evaluating and considering picks for attorney general. The Iowa Republican, 91, is also expected to become Senate president pro tempore, third in line to the presidency.
“Attorney General Nominee Bondi is looking forward to the confirmation process and answering any questions senators might have,” Trump transition spokesman Alex Pfeiffer told the Washington Examiner. “Attorney General Nominee Bondi’s life has been dedicated to keeping Americans safe. She looks forward to continuing that work at the Department of Justice.”
Trump nominated Bondi for attorney general last week after former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress shortly after Trump announced the Florida congressman as his first pick, was met with a wave of doubts from within the party as he faced a House Ethics Committee investigation.
The former representative has been accused of having sex with a 17-year-old, which he vehemently denies. The Republican has not been charged over the allegations.
One week into her own nomination, Bondi has not been plagued with similar chaos and doubt from the GOP.
However, she has been criticized for her lobbying experience and past representation of corporate interests. Additionally, Bondi amplified Trump’s unfounded accusations of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election, appearing on Fox News to claim that fake ballots were being counted.
Bondi first became close to the president-elect in 2016 when she was serving as the first female attorney general of Florida. During her tenure, Bondi was criticized for failing to file a lawsuit against Trump over complaints involving Trump University in 2013.
At the time, Bondi had received a $25,000 donation to her PAC from a nonprofit organization funded by Trump. He was later ordered to pay a $2,500 fine for violating federal tax laws when making the contribution.
Bondi also worked as a defense attorney for Trump during his first impeachment trial and attended his New York husk money trial. Prior to serving as Florida attorney general, she worked as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County, Florida, for 18 years. Later in her career, Bondi also served as chairwoman of the conservative, Trump-aligned think tank American First Policy.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump has praised her experience, saying she will help depoliticize the Justice Department.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” he said in announcing her at his nomination. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!”