US President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Pam Bondi as attorney general has raised concerns among legal experts and Justice Department officials about potential shifts in the agency's priorities under her leadership, according to reports Sunday. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, has been a vocal Trump ally. She defended Trump during his first impeachment trial and supported his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election. Her recent comments about investigating federal prosecutors and FBI agents involved in Trump's indictments have added to apprehensions about her nomination. "The Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted, the bad ones," Bondi was quoted as saying last year by NBC News, alleging a "deep state" conspiracy against Trump without evidence. Current and former DOJ officials expressed mixed reactions to Bondi's nomination. While some view her as a more measured choice compared to Trump's initial nominee, Matt Gaetz, others fear her alignment with Trump's agenda could compromise the department's independence. "I would expect her to do exactly what Trump wants her to do," said a former senior department official. Bondi's nomination comes as Trump reportedly plans to dismiss Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team, who are investigating him for alleged mishandling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Her tenure as Florida attorney general has come under renewed examination. In 2013, Bondi's office declined to join investigations into Trump University despite receiving complaints of fraud. Critics pointed to political donations she received from Trump around that time, though she denied any influence on her decisions. "She believes in the rule of law," said Florida state attorney Dave Aronberg, defending Bondi's approach and suggesting she is unlikely to dismiss career DOJ staff for political reasons. Bondi's appointment comes as the Justice Department faces heightened political pressure. Trump's previous attorneys general, including William Barr, grappled with balancing loyalty to Trump and the department's integrity, with Barr ultimately resigning after refusing to investigate Trump's election fraud claims. If confirmed, Bondi will need to address skepticism over her ability to maintain the DOJ's independence while managing the politically charged environment. Trump, who defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in the recent election, will be inaugurated for his second term on Jan. 20. — Agencies
