WASHINGTON — Pam Bondi, chosen by Donald Trump to serve as attorney general, asserted during her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday that investigations into the president-elect over the years have been a form of targeting. She committed to maintaining the integrity of the Department of Justice and not politicizing it, should she be confirmed to lead the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
Bondi’s comments mirrored the rhetoric Trump employed throughout his campaign, claiming that the Justice Department had been weaponized against him. As Democrats grilled her about ensuring the department’s independence from the executive branch, they sought assurances that she would refrain from using its power to seek retribution against Trump’s critics, including those who conducted investigations against him.
During the hearing, Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, asked Bondi what she would do if career Department of Justice prosecutors brought a case for prosecution grounded in law, but the White House insisted on its dismissal. Bondi responded, “Senator, if I thought that would happen, I would not be sitting here today. That will not happen.” This exchange showcased the concerns Democrats have regarding Bondi’s potential tenure, especially in light of Trump’s previous pressure on the Justice Department for personal interests.
Republicans, meanwhile, expressed optimism about Bondi’s confirmation, viewing her as a remedy to what they perceive as a liberal agenda that led to unfair investigations of Trump and a special counsel’s appointment that has resulted in two indictments. “If confirmed, I will work to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice—and each of its components,” Bondi stated, affirming that the politicization of the agency should cease and emphasizing that justice must remain equal for all.
Bondi pledged to uphold the Constitution, asserting that her priority would be serving the public rather than the president. However, she indicated her loyalty to Trump by sidestepping denouncement of some of his more controversial positions. For instance, when asked about his portrayal of supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol riot as “hostages,” she claimed ignorance, stating, “I am not familiar with that statement.” Additionally, she avoided a direct response regarding whether Trump lost the 2020 election, prefacing her eventual acknowledgment of Biden’s presidency with vague references to alleged electoral fraud that she had previously supported.
Bondi claimed to have witnessed “many things” during her involvement in Pennsylvania’s voting process post-2020 election, indicating her concern over election integrity, although there has been no evidence of widespread fraud. She echoed Trump’s narrative of victimization regarding his legal challenges, stating, “They targeted Donald Trump,” and emphasized her commitment to not politicizing the attorney general’s office.
This characterization of investigations against Trump has been strongly rebuffed by current Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel Jack Smith, who recently affirmed that political bias had no influence on their investigative decisions. The Justice Department, while adhering to policies against prosecuting sitting presidents, has scrutinized both Trump and President Biden for various matters without leading to charges against either.
Democrats, including Sen. Dick Durbin, pointed out Bondi’s extensive ties to Trump and her prior public defense of him, including her inflammatory remarks about holding prosecutors accountable. She previously suggested that “the deep state” had not been sufficiently checked during Trump’s presidency. Such statements have prompted concerns that Bondi could enable a Justice Department aligned with Trump’s agenda rather than maintain its independence. Durbin pressed her on whether she could reject presidential demands for actions that might be deemed wrong or illegal.
In contrast, Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican committee chairman, framed Bondi’s confirmation as an opportunity to hold the Justice Department accountable for grievances related to past investigations, including the probe into Russian election interference. He insisted that her actions should correct the departmental course to prevent repetitive issues.
Bondi, a former lobbyist and prosecutor in Florida for nearly two decades, was nominated for the attorney general position after Trump’s initial choice withdrew due to controversy surrounding a federal sex trafficking investigation that concluded without charges. In her testimony, she vowed to defend constitutional rights and reform the federal Bureau of Prisons, asserting her primary goal would be to realign the Department of Justice with its core mission of maintaining public safety and upholding the law.
