Last week, we posted a video in which Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi insisted repeatedly that her super-cozy relationship with lobbyists and her acceptance of travel and gifts from the Republican Attorneys General Association (which receives funds from corporations that would love to have the ears of any Republican attorneys general who will listen) has no bearing on her job. None. Not even a little.
“No access to me, nor my staff will ever influence what we do,” she told reporters in a video posted by the News Service of Florida.
But she didn't say that she would restrict access to herself or her staff, nor did she indicate that she'd make any moves to address concerns that her relationship with the Republican Attorneys General Association is maybe a little too tight. Not even to reduce the image of impropriety.
Instead, she did just the opposite. This weekend, and the organization's meeting in Miami Beach, she accepted the position of chair of the executive committee. Now, not only does she accept gifts, money, vacations and funds from an organization that wants to curry favor with politicians just like her – she leads one!
“It is an honor to be selected by my fellow Republican Attorneys General to lead RAGA at such a critical time in our country’s history," she was quoted in a statement released by the Republican Attorneys General Association. "We will continue to stand up for the rule of law and protect the citizens of our states."
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