PAM OF 1,000 DAYS. THE PAM BONDI RECORD AS A.G.

PAM BONDI, TRUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL ATTORNEY GENERAL

Investigative Report: Pam Bondi's Tenure as United States Attorney General

I. Introduction and Background

Pamela Jo Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General, became the 88th Attorney General of the United States on February 5, 2025. Her appointment during President Donald J. Trump's second term signaled a commitment to reshaping the Department of Justice (DOJ) with a focus on rule-of-law enforcement, immigration security, and bureaucratic accountability. Bondi brought with her a well-known background as a legal reformer and former prosecutor from Florida, where she served as the state’s chief legal officer from 2011 to 2019.

Born and raised in Tampa, Bondi first gained national recognition for joining multistate litigation against the Affordable Care Act and pursuing opioid manufacturers. While she has faced criticism for political fundraising decisions during her Florida tenure, supporters highlight her consistent efforts to confront government overreach and promote law-and-order priorities.

II. Path to the DOJ: A Trusted Legal Voice in a Transforming Administration

After leaving state office, Bondi remained active in legal and political circles, serving on Trump's impeachment defense team and providing commentary on high-profile legal issues. Her deep alignment with the Trump administration’s justice priorities made her a leading candidate when the DOJ leadership shifted in early 2025. Her confirmation passed on a near party-line vote, reflecting the polarization surrounding her assertive legal philosophy.

III. Key Accomplishments and Initiatives

1. Reorienting DOJ Mission PrioritiesUpon taking office, Bondi initiated a review and restructuring of several internal DOJ task forces. She phased out programs perceived to have drifted from core prosecutorial mandates—such as the Foreign Influence Task Force and certain FARA enforcement units—to refocus DOJ resources on prosecuting violent crime, restoring immigration enforcement, and ensuring internal neutrality.

2. Addressing Sanctuary City Policies

One of Bondi’s most visible campaigns involved confronting cities and states that refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Her actions included:

• Freezing DOJ grants to jurisdictions refusing ICE detainers,

• Launching a Sanctuary City Enforcement Working Group,

• Filing lawsuits against Los Angeles, Chicago, and select New Jersey municipalities,

• Encouraging U.S. Attorneys to prosecute officials who willfully obstruct immigration enforcement.

These efforts sparked debate across the political spectrum—praised by advocates of strong immigration policy and federal supremacy, while challenged in court by states defending local autonomy.

3. Shifting DOJ Civil Rights Enforcement Focus

Bondi steered DOJ civil rights efforts toward religious liberty protections, first responder rights, and bias against faith-based institutions. She reversed some equity-focused litigation involving police and fire departments, calling instead for merit-based hiring practices and community-first law enforcement support.

IV. Investigations of Comey & Brennan — Focused on Procedural Integrity

In July 2025, the DOJ—at the behest of CIA Director John Ratcliffe—opened criminal investigations into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. These probes focus specifically on alleged false statements made to Congress relating to the 2016 Russia interference investigation.

The Brennan referral followed a declassified CIA review that criticized his role in including unverified Steele dossier content in the 2017 intelligence assessment. These inquiries are narrowly scoped, targeting procedural misstatements rather than broad partisan grievances. Both individuals have not been formally charged, though Brennan has characterized the probe as politically motivated.

President Trump and DOJ officials have defended the investigations as appropriate efforts to uphold the rule of law and restore accountability among high-ranking officials involved in controversial surveillance and investigatory practices.

V. Challenges and Unaddressed Issues

1. Limited Progress on FISA ReformDespite widespread calls from across the political spectrum to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Bondi has not made significant moves in this arena. The legal architecture that enables surveillance of U.S. citizens under national security pretexts remains largely intact. Civil liberties advocates have expressed disappointment at the lack of action.

2. FBI Structural Independence MaintainedAlthough Bondi oversaw the creation of a DOJ "Weaponization Working Group" to assess politically influenced prosecutions and removed some personnel associated with contentious cases, the broader structure and authority of the FBI remains unchanged. Tensions with figures such as Deputy Director Dan Bongino reflect the complexity of balancing internal reform with operational continuity.

VI. The Epstein Files Controversy: A Case of Overreach and Miscalculation

Perhaps the most controversial episode of Bondi's tenure thus far is her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. In early 2025, Bondi announced the declassification of select DOJ documents related to Epstein’s operations and promised transparency in exposing anyone complicit in criminal wrongdoing.

However, the rollout created significant backlash:

• The "Epstein Files" distributed to conservative influencers revealed little beyond what was already public record.

• A DOJ/FBI memo concluded that there was no formal "client list" and reaffirmed that Epstein’s death was a suicide.

• Surveillance footage from Epstein’s jail cell included a missing one-minute segment, prompting public suspicion and conspiracy theories.

The fallout included harsh criticism from right-leaning commentators who accused Bondi of mismanaging expectations. Infighting at senior DOJ levels ensued, and President Trump was compelled to issue a public defense of her role. The incident weakened her credibility among some core supporters and served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overpromising in highly charged political cases.

VII. Conclusion: A Complicated Legacy in an Age of Division

Pam Bondi has used her tenure to shift DOJ policy toward constitutional enforcement, immigration reform, and law enforcement advocacy. Her efforts to remove ideologically driven staff and recalibrate the Department’s focus have pleased supporters of a more restrained and accountable federal legal system.

Yet her time in office has also revealed the limits of political loyalty and ambition in tackling entrenched federal structures. The Epstein case, in particular, serves as a reminder that transparency without substance can do more harm than good. Bondi’s legacy is still evolving, shaped by both her decisive actions and her cautionary missteps in a polarized political era.