Pam Bondi’s appointment as United States attorney general has sparked widespread concern over the politicisation of the Justice Department, with mounting evidence that she is steering the institution to serve the political interests of former president Donald Trump.
Trump ties and ethical concerns
Bondi’s association with Trump dates back to her time as Florida attorney general. In 2013, her office considered joining a fraud case against Trump University, only to drop it shortly after receiving a $25,000 donation from Trump’s charitable foundation. The payment was later deemed illegal, resulting in a fine and the eventual dissolution of the foundation.
Realignment of the justice department
Bondi has overseen a series of controversial changes since assuming office in February 2025:
- A “weaponisation working group” has been established to investigate perceived anti-conservative bias within the DOJ, viewed by critics as a politically motivated move to discredit inquiries into Trump and his allies.
- Legal protections for journalists have been rolled back, enabling investigations into members of the press publishing stories critical of Trump’s administration—raising alarms over press freedom.
- The DOJ’s civil rights division has shifted its focus from safeguarding voting rights to pursuing voter fraud claims, echoing Trump’s unfounded allegations of election interference.
- Despite rhetoric around law and order, the department is facing significant funding cuts to key agencies including the FBI and DEA, potentially undermining federal law enforcement operations.
Legal challenges and institutional dissent
Bondi’s policies have drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, who warn of serious threats to the independence of the judiciary. Federal judges have issued rebukes in response to politically tinged decisions, and internal resignations suggest growing unrest within the department.
Selective enforcement and public relations
While Bondi has received praise for spearheading a nationwide crackdown on child sex offenders—resulting in over 200 arrests—analysts warn that such operations do not counterbalance the broader trend of politicised justice.
By R.E. Fredric Holmquist, Editor-at-Large | 8 May 2025
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