The US Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as attorney general on Tuesday, appointing a close ally of President Donald Trump to lead a Justice Department already shaken by firings of career officials deemed disloyal to the president.
The vote was largely divided along party lines, with Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania being the sole Democrat to join Republicans in approving the nomination by 54-46.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and corporate lobbyist, is expected to implement significant changes at the Justice Department, which has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism due to investigations that led to his two indictments. Her appointment also comes amidst turmoil within the FBI, which she will oversee, as the agency faces scrutiny over its handling of cases related to Trump.
Republicans hailed Bondi as a capable leader poised to refocus the department on its core mission. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, “Pam Bondi has promised to get the department back to its core mission: prosecuting crime and protecting Americans from threats to their safety and their freedoms.”
However, Bondi has drawn intense scrutiny for her close ties to Trump. During his presidency, Trump dismissed an FBI director who declined to pledge loyalty to him and forced out an attorney general who recused himself from the Russia investigation involving Trump’s 2016 campaign.
At her confirmation hearing, Bondi attempted to assure Democrats that her decisions would not be influenced by politics but stopped short of ruling out potential investigations into Trump’s opponents. She also echoed Trump’s claims that the Justice Department had been “weaponized” against him, saying, “They targeted Donald Trump… starting back in 2016, they targeted his campaign. They have launched countless investigations against him.” She added, “If I am attorney general, I will not politicize that office.”
Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont expressed concerns about Bondi’s allegiance to Trump, stating, “That clearly is a loyalty oath to him as opposed to a demand for straightforward, candid advice, including if the president is asking for something to be done like the prosecution of a political adversary.”
Bondi’s confirmation came as FBI agents sued the Justice Department over efforts to compile a list of employees involved in January 6 prosecutions, fearing this could lead to mass dismissals. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove recently instructed the acting FBI director to provide details of staff involved in the cases, which Trump had previously labelled a “grave national injustice.”
Bondi’s predecessors at the Justice Department have also faced pressure under the Trump administration, with senior FBI officials, special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors, and members of the DC US attorney’s office dismissed in recent months.
While Bondi pledged that the public, not the president, would be her client, her remarks often mirrored Trump’s rhetoric. Her past comments included promises to investigate “bad” Justice Department prosecutors, stating in a 2023 Fox News interview, “The investigators will be investigated.”
Trump chose Bondi as his attorney general nominee after the rejection of his initial pick, former Representative Matt Gaetz, who failed to gain sufficient Republican support.
Bondi’s confirmation is seen as a victory for Trump, who has long sought to reshape the Justice Department to align with his vision. Her appointment signals further tensions as the department continues to face challenges in maintaining its independence amid political pressures.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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