https://www.newsweek.com/pam-bondi-donald-trump-attorney-general-nominee-ties-scientology-explained-1989936Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General Pam Bondi has held ties to the Church of Scientology at various points throughout her career.
Bondi made history in 2010 when she was elected as Florida's first female attorney general, a job she held until 2019.
During her tenure she accepted campaign contributions from Scientologists and attended multiple fundraisers organized by prominent members of the church.
A fundraiser for Bondi's reelection campaign in 2014 in Clearwater, Florida, was organized by six prominent Scientologists, the Tampa Bay Times reported at the time. Christina Johnson, Bondi's campaign spokeswoman, told the newspaper that Bondi was aware that Scientologists were staging the event.
Johnson said that Bondi first connected with Scientologists in 2010 when she and other elected officials toured some of the church's facilities in Clearwater. She added that Bondi had spoken to a group of Scientologists about human trafficking and antidrug initiatives.
Ahead of the fundraiser in 2014, Johnson said: "It's like-minded folks sharing the same goals: Protecting children against drug overdoses and human trafficking."
Newsweek has contacted Bondi for comment outside of normal working hours.
A Trump spokesperson and The Church of Scientology have also been contacted for comment.
Trump announced Bondi as his pick for Attorney General on Thursday, hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration.
"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
"I have known Pam for many years—She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!"
