On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Florida Politics reported that former Florida Supreme Court justices have filed an ethics complaint against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi with the Florida Bar. The complaint alleges that Bondi has misused the Department of Justice (DOJ) for political purposes, thus violating professional conduct rules and undermining judicial independence.

The complaint has garnered the support of around 70 legal professionals, including notable figures such as former justices Barbara Pariente, James Perry, and Peggy Quince. The signatories claim that Bondi has pressured DOJ lawyers to abandon their ethical responsibilities under the pretense of “zealous advocacy” on behalf of President Donald Trump. They specifically point to incidents involving the dismissal of various government attorneys since she assumed federal office.

Three key instances were cited in the complaint. The first involves Denise Cheung, a veteran prosecutor who resigned after refusing to investigate a contract linked to Joe Biden without sufficient evidence. The second case concerns Erez Reuveni, who was terminated for publicly opposing the deportation of a man to El Salvador, despite a court order prohibiting such action. Additionally, several prosecutors reportedly resigned after receiving orders from the DOJ to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

In response to the allegations, DOJ Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle criticized the complaint as a “vexatious attempt” by out-of-state attorneys to misuse the bar complaint process against Bondi. He dismissed the claims, suggesting that the signatories lack independent thought.

Bondi, who previously served as Florida Attorney General for two terms, was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General in February following a contentious Senate vote. Since her confirmation, she has faced increasing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups.

In early May, U.S. Representatives David Min and Mike Levin from California sent a letter to the Florida Bar, urging an investigation into Bondi’s actions. They pointed to several instances that they believed might constitute serious violations of legal and ethical standards. Among these were her controversial positions regarding the deportation of Venezuelan nationals and public statements that appeared to challenge the judiciary, potentially jeopardizing the safety of judges.

One particularly contentious statement made by Bondi accused Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of prioritizing the protection of terrorists over American citizens. This statement came after Boasberg ruled that the Trump administration had shown a “willful disregard” for his order halting deportation flights.

Furthermore, the progressive advocacy group FactPAC has initiated a public campaign calling for Bondi’s disbarment, citing potential violations of legal ethics and professional responsibilities. The organization has highlighted her past actions, such as failing to disclose lobbying work for foreign entities during her time on Trump’s legal team, attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, and accepting a $25,000 political contribution from the Donald J. Trump Foundation in 2013 before her office opted not to join a lawsuit against Trump University.

Despite the ongoing controversies, the Florida Bar has previously dismissed two other ethics complaints against Bondi, explaining that it does not investigate or prosecute sitting officers appointed under the U.S. Constitution. However, the former justices and other supporters of the new complaint have challenged this rationale, labeling it as unfounded and lacking historical precedent.

 

 

Source: Florida Politics