WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Pam Bondi was officially inaugurated as the new attorney general, taking the reins of the Justice Department at a time when it is preparing for potential turmoil, especially with President Donald Trump seeking to exert his influence over an agency that has been a source of tension for him in the past.
The swearing-in ceremony, held in the Oval Office, marked the first occasion where Trump participated in a second-term Cabinet member inauguration. This further highlights the president’s deep involvement with the Justice Department, which had investigated his actions during his first term and pursued two indictments that have since been dropped following his departure from office in 2021.
Bondi is anticipated to bring significant changes to the department, which has recently been subject to the dismissal of several experienced prosecutors and FBI personnel, as well as a major rollback of the prosecution tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection due to Trump’s sweeping pardons on his first day in office.
The new attorney general steps into her role amidst ongoing tensions between the Justice Department and the FBI, as both agencies grapple with the fallout from the extensive investigation into the Capitol events. FBI agents have recently filed lawsuits contesting the Justice Department’s order to disclose the identities of thousands of agents involved in this inquiry, fearing that such a move could lead to widespread firings. This week also saw the acting deputy attorney general accuse the acting FBI director of “insubordination” in a memo to staff.
Due to her close ties with Trump, Bondi is expected to be one of the most scrutinized figures within his Cabinet. During his 2024 campaign, Trump hinted at seeking retribution against those he perceives as adversaries. While Bondi maintains that her decisions will remain apolitical, she failed to rule out the possibility of investigations into Trump’s critics during her confirmation hearing. She has echoed Trump’s narrative, suggesting that the accusations leveled against him represent a form of political persecution, asserting that the Justice Department has been “weaponized” for years.
Before being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Trump lauded Bondi’s prosecutorial history and indicated she would help eliminate the politicization of federal law enforcement. Upon her appointment, Bondi assured the president she would not disappoint him, promising, “I will restore integrity to the Justice Department and I will fight violent crime throughout this country and throughout this world, and make America safe again.”
The Senate confirmed Bondi’s position with a 54-46 vote on Tuesday, reflecting a largely party-line decision. The only Democratic senator supporting her was John Fetterman from Pennsylvania.
Republicans have pointed to Bondi’s track record in combating human trafficking and opioid-related issues in Florida, and they believe her leadership will bring a vital shift in a department they feel has wrongly pursued Trump through various investigations and treated his supporters inappropriately during the Jan. 6 events. As attorney general, Bondi will oversee an FBI that is currently under scrutiny regarding its personnel related to Trump investigations.
Recently, FBI workers filed lawsuits to put an end to the collection and potential sharing of the names of agents, initiated after the acting deputy attorney general requested the identities to assess whether further personnel action was necessary. Bondi later reassured FBI personnel in a memo that those who acted ethically and in accordance with their orders need not worry about termination, emphasizing that only those who acted with “corrupt or partisan intent” should be concerned for their positions.
