Why Pam Bondi’s Nomination Worries Voting Rights Advocates

Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump's pick for the Department of Justice (DOJ), has attracted criticism from the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. They argue that her past actions as Florida’s attorney general and as chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) make her unsuitable for the role of U. S. attorney general. The report points out Bondi's history of limiting voting rights and casting doubt on election results. For instance, while in Florida, she used her position to deny voting rights to many former prisoners. Additionally, her rule requiring a five-year wait before requesting rights restoration disproportionately affected Black voters. More recently, Bondi supported former President Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. This includes representing an official who wanted to decertify the election based on mere suspicions. Under her leadership at AFPI, they even sued to block protections for voters needing language assistance. The report also highlights Bondi's stance on diversity and inclusion. She supports a "colorblind" approach to the law, which could lead her to reject federal programs that combat discrimination. Given these points, the Legal Defense Fund is urging senators to reject her nomination, stating she poses a threat to the DOJ's independence and integrity.