President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement to nominate Pam Bondi as the next attorney general has stirred significant reactions, with MSNBC contributor and college professor Jason Johnson warning her appointment should concern the left deeply.
Bondi, Florida’s former attorney general, was named as Trump’s nominee Thursday evening, replacing Matt Gaetz, whose controversial background led to his withdrawal earlier the same day. Johnson didn’t mince words when describing why Bondi’s nomination could mark a turning point in Trump’s administration.
“We Should All Fear” Her Competence
Speaking with MSNBC host Ari Melber, Johnson highlighted why Bondi’s qualifications set her apart—and why that’s unsettling for her opponents.
“Occasionally, attorneys general try to behave like they are not the personal lawyer of the President of the United States. That is completely out the window. Pam Bondi is exactly what I was saying in the last segment that we should all fear, because she’s competent,” Johnson said.
Johnson elaborated, emphasizing that Bondi’s expertise could make her highly effective at executing Trump’s agenda.
“We may not agree with her ideologically, but she actually knows how to do this job,” Johnson noted.
For those who were relieved by Gaetz’s withdrawal, Johnson delivered a stark message: “So if anyone on the Democratic side or anyone who cared about liberty or justice was thinking ‘Well maybe Matt Gaetz will screw this up and that will give us time,’ no. Pam Bondi knows what she is doing.”
Experience Backed by State-Level Expertise
Johnson further explained how Bondi’s tenure in Florida’s government uniquely positions her to utilize state power in ways that align with conservative goals.
“She knows what she’s doing about immigration. Remember, Florida is one of those states that has been very aggressive about migrants and deportation and moving people to different states and everything else like that. Florida has enacted all sorts of rules and laws to curtail students and what they can do on campuses and finding legal justifications for manipulating education money,” Johnson said.
He didn’t shy away from drawing comparisons between Bondi and Gaetz, stating, “She is a dangerous and effective pick, and that’s frankly worse than what we would have got with Matt Gaetz, even with the deplorable moral background that he has.”
A “Frightening Choice” for Critics of Trump’s Agenda
Bondi’s nomination, according to Johnson, represents a calculated move to solidify Trump’s ability to push forward his vision with fewer obstacles. Reflecting on the possibility of Gaetz as AG, Johnson shared his skepticism that Gaetz was ever a serious contender.
“It is, but I guess I’m from the perspective of, I never necessarily thought that Matt Gaetz was a sincere pick. Trump can call all he wants, but I suspect there were many, many people lined up to come after him who won’t be as offensive, who might actually be more effective,” Johnson remarked.
He concluded by issuing a broader warning about Bondi’s potential impact on the nation’s political landscape. “So while it might be a loss in the battle, I don’t necessarily think it’s a victory in the war against what may be an AG that ushers in an authoritarian type of presidency that affects the fundamental rights of American citizens,” he said.
