Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Pam Bondi

Public opinion and media debates around Pam Bondi—discover key moments of controversy.

Pam Bondi is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician. A Republican, she has served as the 87th United States attorney general since 2025. She previously served as the 37th Attorney General of Florida from 2011 to 2019, and was the first woman elected to that position.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2008: Defended Amendment 2

In 2008, Pam Bondi defended Amendment 2, an amendment to the Florida Constitution banning same-sex marriage, against legal challenges on behalf of the state.

2011: Pressured attorneys to resign in Lender Processing Services investigation

In 2011, Pam Bondi pressured two attorneys to resign who were investigating Lender Processing Services (now Black Knight) as part of their work for Florida's Economic Crime Division, following the robosigning scandal.

2013: Postponed execution for fundraiser

In 2013, Pam Bondi persuaded Governor Rick Scott to postpone a scheduled execution because it conflicted with a fundraising event. She later apologized for moving the execution date after media scrutiny.

2013: Campaign donation from Donald Trump

In 2013, Pam Bondi received criticism following a $25,000 campaign donation from Donald Trump's foundation after her office considered joining a lawsuit against Trump University. She subsequently declined to join the lawsuit.

June 2016: Renewed criticism over Trump donation

In June 2016, Pam Bondi faced renewed criticism over the donation from the Trump Foundation. Her spokesman said she had solicited the donation directly from Trump several weeks before her office announced it was considering joining the lawsuit against Trump University. Also in June 2016, a spokesperson for Governor Rick Scott stated that the state's ethics commission was looking into the matter.

June 2016: Criticized for LGBT support after Orlando shooting

In June 2016, following the Orlando nightclub shooting, Pam Bondi was criticized by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, who questioned her expression of support for the LGBT community in light of her past record.

September 2016: IRS determined donation to Bondi's PAC violated laws

In September 2016, the IRS determined that the donation to Pam Bondi's PAC violated laws against political contributions from nonprofit organizations and ordered Trump to pay a fine.

August 2018: Co-hosted The Five on Fox News

In August 2018, while still serving as Florida attorney general, Pam Bondi co-hosted "The Five" on Fox News and appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, raising ethics concerns.

2018: Meetings with Lev Parnas

In 2018, Lev Parnas, a businessman with close ties to Rudy Giuliani and Ukraine, had several meetings with Pam Bondi while she was the Florida attorney general.

2018: Joined lawsuit to overturn ACA bans on pre-existing conditions

In 2018, Pam Bondi joined with 19 other Republican-led states in a lawsuit to overturn the ACA's bans on health insurance companies charging people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums or denying them coverage outright.

November 2019: Trump ordered to close down foundation

In November 2019, Trump was ordered by a New York state court to close down the foundation and pay $2 million in damages for misusing it, including the illegal donation to Pam Bondi.

2019: Meetings with Lev Parnas after leaving office

In 2019, Lev Parnas, a businessman with close ties to Rudy Giuliani and Ukraine, had several meetings with Pam Bondi after she left office.

November 5, 2020: Challenged to provide evidence of fraud

On November 5, 2020, Pam Bondi was challenged by Fox News host Steve Doocy to provide evidence for her claims of voter fraud, which she refused to do. She also claimed Trump had won Pennsylvania despite votes still being counted.

2020: Supported Trump's efforts to overturn election

In 2020, Pam Bondi spoke in support of Trump at the Republican National Convention and became a vocal supporter of Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat, supporting claims of large-scale voter fraud in multiple states.

March 2025: Trump administration proceeded with deportations

In March 2025, the Trump administration proceeded with deportations despite a court order to stop, with Pam Bondi and other Justice Department officials arguing that an oral directive is not enforceable as an injunction.

April 2025: Bondi's Fentanyl Seizure Claims

In April 2025, Pam Bondi claimed that fentanyl seizures during Trump's second term had saved millions of lives, initially estimating 21 million and later increasing it to 119 million. During a cabinet meeting that same week in April 2025, she stated DOJ agencies seized 3,400 kilos of fentanyl, saving 258 million lives, a claim met with skepticism.