Trump AG Pam Bondi Clashes with Ethics Officials Over Gifts

Attorney General Pam Bondi has repeatedly clashed with Justice Department ethics officials over accepting lavish gifts, including a FIFA soccer ball thrown to her by President Trump and a box of cigars from MMA fighter Conor McGregor. Bondi also insisted on sitting in the president's box at the FIFA Club World Cup finals, despite ethics officials warning that such privileges could violate federal gift rules, which restrict gifts to $20 per occasion and $50 annually from the same source. Bondi justified her presence in the box by claiming she might need to brief President Trump on security matters, a rationale that is unprecedented and questioned for its legitimacy. Ethics officials allowed her limited access to the box, but Bondi and her husband stayed longer than advised, though the DOJ later stated they did not remain for the entire match. Sources describe Bondi's pushback against ethics rules as unusually aggressive compared to prior administrations, highlighting ongoing tensions between her interpretation and established guidelines. This pattern of disputes over gifts reflects broader concerns about ethics and corruption within the Trump administration.