Political scientist Jason Johnson expressed alarm on Thursday over President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General, calling her a “dangerous and effective pick.” Appearing on MSNBC’s “The Beat With Ari Melber,” Johnson argued that Bondi’s experience in legal matters, especially in the fields of immigration enforcement and educational policy, positions her to be a strong and assertive leader who will push forward Trump’s controversial agenda.

Bondi, a former attorney general of Florida, has built a reputation for her aggressive approach to immigration and her involvement in laws that restrict free speech and limit the scope of public education. Johnson’s concerns focus on her ability to implement policies that could harm civil rights, particularly those related to immigration. “She knows what she’s doing about immigration. Florida has been very aggressive about migrants and deportation,” Johnson said, suggesting that Bondi could easily execute similar strategies at a national level.

MSNBC is melting down over Pam Bondi as Attorney General:

"We should all fear [her] because she's competent."

"She actually knows how to do this job."

"She knows what she's doing about immigration."

"She is a dangerous and effective pick."

🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/BfJ9jeNHzR

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 22, 2024

In contrast to other potential Trump nominees, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who recently turned down the position, Johnson emphasized Bondi’s competence and her ability to carry out the administration’s priorities. “She’s competent,” Johnson remarked. “We may not agree with her ideologically, but she actually knows how to do this job.”

Johnson also pointed to Florida’s educational policies under Bondi’s leadership, including the state’s efforts to curtail student activism and restrict educational funding. He warned that her legal background would allow her to advance similar policies at the federal level, further solidifying Trump’s grip on educational reform and immigration enforcement.

Let’s check in with MSNBC see what they think about Trump’s pick for AG Pam Bondi 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/oYUA8w9yuy

— Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes) November 22, 2024

Bondi’s nomination has already stirred controversy, with critics fearing that her appointment will embolden the administration to take even more extreme actions against immigrants and vulnerable communities. Despite her controversial record, Trump praised Bondi for her commitment to addressing issues like drug trafficking, further deepening the divide between her supporters and detractors.

As the Senate prepares to take up her nomination, the debate over her potential confirmation will likely continue to intensify, with both sides rallying around their positions on her impact on the future of U.S. law and justice.