Who is Pam Bondi, US Attorney General under fire over Epstein file release | World News
Pamela Jo Bondi, the 87th Attorney General of the United States, is currently facing intense scrutiny over her handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Bondi, who took office on February 5, promised transparency regarding the controversial Epstein investigation. However, the Department of Justice’s release of heavily censored Epstein files has drawn bipartisan criticism, with many accusing her of preventing full disclosure.
Bondi responded to the backlash petitioning a federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts tied to Epstein’s prosecution.
Beyond the Epstein file controversy, Bondi has also drawn fire for a recent proposal that would transfer authority to restore gun ownership rights for certain convicted felons from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to the office of the Attorney General.
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Background and career
Pam Bondi was born on November 17, 1965, in Tampa, Florida. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida in 1987 and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1990. Bondi began her legal career as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County, Florida, where she handled a broad range of criminal cases over 18 years.
In 2010, she became Florida’s first female Attorney General, serving two terms from 2011 to 2019. Known for her conservative stances on issues such as same-sex marriage and healthcare, Bondi also developed a media presence as a legal analyst.
After leaving the Florida Attorney General’s office, Bondi joined the Trump adminration’s White House Counsel in 2019, playing a key role in President Trump’s first impeachment defense. She later worked with the America First Policy Institute before being nominated Trump to serve as US Attorney General in late 2024 following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz.
She was confirmed the Senate in a 54-46 vote and sworn into office on February 5, 2025.Story continues below this ad
As the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Bondi oversees the Department of Justice and its agencies, including the FBI and ATF. Since taking office, she has prioritised investigations into perceived government weaponisation, immigration enforcement, and revising federal consent decrees.
(with inputs from US Justice Department, Homeland Security Today, Miller Center)
