Pam Bondi confirmed by Senate as US attorney general

The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general Tuesday evening, putting a longtime ally of Donald Trump at the helm of a Justice Department that has already been rattled by the firings of career employees seen as disloyal to the Republican president.

What we know:

Pam Bondi was confirmed as U.S. attorney general Tuesday evening in a 54-46 Senate vote, largely along party lines. 

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and corporate lobbyist, has been a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump and is expected to oversee significant changes within the Justice Department. Her confirmation comes amid widespread upheaval within the department, with career employees being fired or forced out.

Republicans have praised Bondi’s qualifications and believe she will reform a Justice Department they argue unfairly pursued Trump. Democrats, however, have voiced concerns over her close ties to the former president and her refusal to rule out potential investigations into Trump’s political adversaries.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how far Bondi will go in reshaping the Justice Department and whether she will initiate investigations into Trump’s opponents. She has insisted she will not politicize the office but has echoed Trump’s claims that the department was previously "weaponized."

There are also unanswered questions about how Bondi will handle the ongoing internal Justice Department turmoil, including a lawsuit filed by FBI agents over efforts to compile a list of those involved in the Jan. 6 prosecutions. Whether mass firings will follow remains uncertain.

The backstory:

Bondi’s confirmation comes at a critical moment for the Justice Department, which has been a central focus of Trump’s grievances over legal cases against him. Trump nominated Bondi after his initial pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, failed to gain enough support in the Senate.

Bondi has been a prominent figure in Trump’s orbit for years, frequently defending him in media appearances. She has previously suggested that Justice Department officials who investigated Trump should themselves be investigated. During her confirmation hearing, she reinforced Trump’s narrative that legal cases against him were politically motivated.

Big picture view:

Bondi’s appointment signals a significant shift in how the Justice Department will operate under Trump’s administration. Her confirmation follows a series of removals within the department, including senior FBI officials and prosecutors involved in Trump-related investigations.

The department’s actions will likely have widespread implications for the federal justice system, as Trump has openly expressed his intent to retaliate against those he views as political enemies. The fallout could extend beyond Washington, affecting ongoing and future legal proceedings involving Trump and his allies.

What they're saying:

Republicans contend that Bondi will bring much-needed change to a department they believe unfairly pursued Trump through investigations resulting in two indictments.

"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," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., acknowledged Bondi’s qualifications but expressed concern over her allegiance to Trump. 

"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," Welch said.

At her confirmation hearing, Bondi aligned with Trump’s views on past investigations into him. 

"They targeted Donald Trump," she said. "They went after him—actually starting back in 2016, they targeted his campaign. They have launched countless investigations against him."

She also insisted she would not use her position for political purposes. 

"If I am attorney general, I will not politicize that office."

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Associated Press.

 

PoliticsDonald J. Trump