Following a lately resurfaced discussion in which she urged the imprisonment of international students who express support for Hamas, President-elect Donald Trump‘s candidate for US attorney general has sparked controversy.
Bondi, who served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, was nominated after Trump’s first find, Matt Gaetz, withdrew amid conflicts surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
In an October 2023 meeting with Newsmax, Bondi criticised school demonstrations that followed Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel. She argued that Hamas supporters who have visa may be subject to immediate punishment. ” I think their student visa need to be revoked”, Bondi said.
” The FBI needs to be interviewing them straight ahead when they’re saying,’ I support Hamas. I am Hamas.’ That’s no saying,’ I support all these bad Palestinians trapped in Gaza'”, she added.
Bondi added that there is a need to tackle rising anti-Semitism in the country by calling for the reinstatement of Trump’s vacation restrictions. ” The anti-Semitism prevalent throughout this country today is truly heartbreaking”, she said, adding that some student demonstrators lack an understanding of Hamas as a terrorist company.
Some Jewish lawmakers have praised Bondi for his unwavering support for Israel. We could not have done better than Pam Bondi, according to former Democratic Representative Robert Wexler, who remarked,” When it comes to the interests of the Jewish community and having an attorney general who will fight for protection.”
Due to her close ties to Trump and her contentious opinions, Bondi’s nomination has received media attention.
Her efforts to repeal Obamacare and support same-sex marriage marked her tenure as Florida Attorney General. Despite these controversies, Bondi’s qualifications and alignment with Trump’s policies may reassure Republican senators wary after the Gaetz debacle.
Her statements about Hamas and campus protests are likely to remain a hot topic of discussion as Bondi prepares for her confirmation hearing.
