In a significant development for the Justice Department, Pam Bondi took her oath as attorney general on Wednesday, marking a time of potential transformation within the agency as President Donald Trump seeks to assert his influence. The swearing-in ceremony occurred in the Oval Office, notably being Trump’s first participation in a second-term cabinet member’s swearing-in. This event underscores his heightened engagement with the department, which was involved in investigations during his previous term and pursued multiple charges after his exit from office in 2021.
Before administering the oath, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas received accolades from Trump, who commended Bondi on her prosecutorial achievements and expressed confidence in her ability to “end the weaponization of federal law enforcement.” Bondi, who previously held the title of Florida’s first female attorney general before transitioning into a lobbying role, assured Trump of her commitment to his administration. She proclaimed, “I will make you proud and I will make this country proud,” pledging to restore integrity within the Justice Department and tackle violent crime domestically and globally, aiming to enhance national safety.
Bondi’s confirmation came through a narrow Senate vote of 54-46 on Tuesday, largely split along party lines. Only one Democrat, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, crossed the aisle to support her nomination. Republican members have pointed to her track record in Florida, focusing on her anti-human trafficking and opioid initiatives. They believe that Bondi’s leadership will bring a necessary overhaul to a department that they claim unfairly targeted Trump and his supporters during previous investigations related to the January 6th Capitol riot.
In her new role, Bondi will oversee the FBI, which is embroiled in controversy over its agents’ actions in Trump-related inquiries. Notably, FBI agents have taken legal action following a controversial request from the Justice Department seeking the identities of those who were part of the January 6th investigation, a move perceived by many as a precursor to possible mass dismissals within the agency. However, acting Deputy Director Emil Bove later reassured staff in a memo that agents who acted ethically and in accordance with their orders would not face termination, indicating that only those with corrupt or partisan motives should be concerned.
Given her close ties with Trump, Bondi is expected to face intense scrutiny as a Cabinet member. Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump hinted at a desire for reprisal against perceived adversaries, raising questions about potential political motivations in Justice Department actions. During her confirmation testimony, Bondi attempted to alleviate concerns among Democrats by stating that political affiliations would not influence her decisions, yet she avoided committing to refraining from investigating Trump’s critics. She echoed Trump’s sentiments of political unfairness regarding the prosecution he faced, stating that the Justice Department had been politically weaponized for an extended period and emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
