Senators Prepare to Question Trump’s Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi
Washington – In a pivotal confirmation hearing, Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General and a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump, is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Bondi, chosen to lead the Department of Justice, follows the withdrawal of Trump’s initial nominee, Matt Gaetz. In her opening remarks, she aims to assure the committee that as Attorney General, she will restore impartiality to the department, claiming that the “partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice will end.”
Bondi, who made history as Florida’s first female attorney general, endorsed Trump early in his political career and has been involved in significant legal battles, including defending him during his first impeachment trial. However, her nomination comes under scrutiny, particularly from Democratic senators concerned about potential politicization of the Justice Department under her leadership.
Senator Dick Durbin, the Judiciary Committee’s highest-ranking Democrat, expressed apprehension over Bondi’s independence, questioning whether she will prioritize fidelity to the Constitution over allegiance to Trump. Bondi is expected to face tough questions regarding her prior lobbying work for foreign entities, her lack of federal experience, and her role in Trump’s legal challenges post-2020 election.
Republicans appear ready to fast-track Bondi’s nomination, considering her qualifications, as articulated by Republican Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. Key hearings also feature other Trump nominees, including Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, as the GOP seeks to swiftly install Cabinet officials ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
With Bondi’s confirmation, she will oversee several high-stakes law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and will be responsible for defending Trump’s actions in ongoing federal litigations.