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. She has served as the 87th United States attorney general since 2025. A Republican, she previously served as the 37th Florida attorney general from 2011 to 2019, and was the first woman to hold that position.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

June 2016: Renewed Criticism over Trump Donation

In June 2016, Bondi faced renewed criticism regarding a donation from the Trump Foundation, and her spokesman admitted she had solicited the donation from Trump before her office considered joining a lawsuit against Trump University.

June 2016: Criticism Following Orlando Nightclub Shooting

In June 2016, following the Orlando nightclub shooting, CNN reporter Anderson Cooper interviewed Bondi and questioned the sincerity of her support for the LGBT community, given her past record.

September 2016: IRS Determination on Trump Donation

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

November 2019: Trump Foundation Ordered to Close

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

November 5, 2020: Challenged on Voter Fraud Claims

On November 5, 2020, during an appearance on Fox News, Steve Doocy challenged Pam Bondi to provide evidence for her claims of voter fraud. Bondi said that "We know that ballots have been dumped," and later claimed Trump had won Pennsylvania.

February 2025: Claims Regarding Epstein's Client List

In February 2025, Fox News journalist John Roberts asked Bondi if the Justice Department would be publishing "the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients", to which Bondi responded she was reviewing the list, as directed by President Trump. Bondi also claimed there were "tens of thousands of videos" showing Epstein "with children or child porn".

March 2025: Criticism of Judge Boasberg

In March 2025, Bondi criticized Chief Judge James Boasberg after he ordered a temporary block on the Trump administration's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members and verbally ordered the return of deportation flights. Bondi argued that the judge's oral directive was not enforceable and that he had no right to ask for details about the flights, accusing judges of "meddling in our government".

March 2025: No Investigation of Government Chat Leak

In March 2025, following the United States government group chat leak, Bondi indicated that there would be no investigation into the leak because the information shared was not classified.

April 2025: Statements on Fentanyl Seizures

In April 2025, Bondi made several statements regarding the number of lives saved due to fentanyl seizures in the first 100 days of Trump's second term, initially stating 21 million, then 119 million, and later 258 million. These statistics were met with skepticism due to their implausibility compared to the actual number of fentanyl-related deaths.

July 2025: Contradictions Regarding Epstein's Client List

In July 2025, the Department of Justice and the FBI released a memo stating there was no evidence that a list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients existed, contradicting Bondi's previous statements in February 2025, that she was reviewing the list per President Trump's directive. Bondi also previously claimed there were "tens of thousands of videos" showing Epstein "with children or child porn," a claim later walked back by FBI Director Kash Patel. The contradictions led to criticism and internal disagreement within the FBI.

September 2025: Controversial Comments on Hate Speech

In September 2025, in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Bondi stated that her office would "absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech." Her comments were criticized across the political spectrum. She later clarified that she was referring to hate speech involving threats of violence.