During her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, assured senators that she would uphold the impartiality of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and refrain from political targeting. “There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice,” Bondi stated, as she faced repeated questions regarding her loyalty to the former president. Emphasizing her commitment to independence, she added, “I will not politicize that office.”
Despite these assurances, Bondi stopped short of ruling out potential investigations into individuals Trump has previously clashed with. When questioned about the possibility of investigating Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two criminal cases against Trump, she said, “It would be irresponsible of me to make a commitment regarding anything.” Trump, during his presidential campaign, frequently vowed to investigate and prosecute his political rivals, raising concerns about Bondi’s approach to such cases if confirmed.
Bondi Aligns with Trump’s Claims of DOJ Weaponization
If confirmed as the 87th U.S. attorney general, Bondi would be the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Throughout the hearing, she echoed Trump’s assertions that the DOJ had been “weaponized” against him, describing the department as politicized “for years and years and years.” This sentiment was shared by several Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee, including Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who argued that the department had been “infected with political decision-making” under the Biden administration.
Republican senators repeatedly highlighted what they called the department’s bias against Trump, reinforcing claims of political persecution. Bondi agreed with these assessments, further aligning herself with Trump’s narrative. While her confirmation appears likely given the Republican majority in the Senate, questions about her independence and willingness to pursue politically sensitive investigations remain central to the debate surrounding her nomination.
Democratic Senators Question Bondi’s Independence as Attorney General Nominee
During her confirmation hearing, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi faced tough questions from Democratic senators who raised concerns about her potential independence under the Trump administration. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, expressed fears about the possible “weaponization” of the Department of Justice (DOJ) during Bondi’s tenure.
Whitehouse emphasized the importance of maintaining the DOJ’s independence, stating, “We want to make sure that’s not the case, that you remain independent.” The questions highlighted broader concerns about whether Bondi could resist political pressures from the president-elect. Bondi assured the committee of her commitment to impartiality, but some senators remained skeptical, particularly in light of her potential oversight of controversial decisions, including the investigation of Capitol rioters.
FBI Director Nominee and Capitol Riot Pardons Under Scrutiny
A significant portion of the hearing also focused on Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director who would report directly to Bondi if confirmed. Patel’s past comments about maintaining an “enemies list” raised alarm among senators, but Bondi claimed she had not heard of such statements. She reassured the committee that the DOJ would not operate under such a framework.
Bondi also addressed questions about potential pardons for Capitol rioters, stating that any decisions would be made on a “case-by-case basis.” While condemning violence against law enforcement, her statements left room for interpretation, drawing mixed reactions from lawmakers. Her role, if confirmed, would include providing legal advice to the president and enforcing federal laws as the head of the DOJ.
The confirmation vote for Bondi has yet to be scheduled but is expected soon. Meanwhile, the Senate also questioned Marco Rubio, Trump’s secretary of state nominee, who promised to reduce reliance on China and prioritize U.S. interests in foreign policy. Both hearings underscore the high-stakes political dynamics surrounding these key appointments.
Confirmation Likely Despite Partisan Concerns
Despite the contentious nature of the hearing, Bondi is expected to be confirmed as the 87th U.S. Attorney General, given the Republican majority in the Senate. While she pledged to uphold the integrity of the DOJ, Democrats remain skeptical, pointing to her reluctance to rule out investigations into Trump’s political adversaries.
Bondi repeatedly emphasized her independence during the hearing but acknowledged the political overtones in recent federal prosecutions against Trump. Her remarks, coupled with Republican senators echoing Trump’s grievances about alleged political persecution, underscore the deep partisan divide surrounding her nomination. If confirmed, Bondi’s tenure could reshape the Justice Department’s trajectory amidst ongoing political controversies.
