Pam Bondi faces scrutiny for Trump loyalty during AG confirmation hearing

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her longtime loyalty to President-elect Donald Trump and vowed she would not “politicize” the Justice Department during her US Attorney General confirmation hearing for the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday in Washington, DC

Democrats pressed Bondi on whether she would act independently of Trump, questioning her refusal to directly certify the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.

Newsweek has contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ) for comment.

Why it matters

Democrats fear Bondi’s appointment could undermine the Justice Department’s independence, especially given her close ties to Trump and past statements advocating for investigations into his perceived opponents. Critics of Bondi, who has been Florida’s attorney general for eight years, argue that her leadership could pave the way for the department to be used to decide political outcomes, eroding public trust in law enforcement.

Bondi’s confirmation is crucial as the Justice Department faces increased scrutiny after Trump wins the 2024 election.

She was chosen after Trump’s first choice, former Florida representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration, citing an “unnecessarily protracted row in Washington” — an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.

What to know

Bondi’s nomination follows years of political tension with federal investigations into Trump, including two criminal cases led by special counsel Jack Smith. Smith dropped both cases after Trump’s election in 2024, citing the DOJ’s policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

“If confirmed, I will work to restore trust and integrity to the Department of Justice — and each of its components,” Bondi, 59, said in his opening remarks.

She repeatedly refused to say whether Trump lost the 2020 election, telling senators: “President Biden is the president of the United States, he was duly sworn in.” She avoided directly addressing whether she agreed with the court’s conclusions that widespread voter fraud had not been found.

Her comments often mirrored Trump’s rhetoric, raising concerns among Democrats.

“I need to know that you will say no to the president if you are asked to do something that is wrong, illegal or unconstitutional,” Sen. Dick Durbin, the panel’s top Democrat, told Bondi.

Bondi also defended her earlier statement that “prosecutors will be prosecuted” under Trump’s administration, explaining that her goal was to address abuses at the Justice Department.

What people say

Republican attorney general nominee Pam Bondi: “If confirmed, my overriding goal will be to return the Justice Department to its core mission of keeping Americans safe and vigorously enforcing the law (…) Under my watch, the partisan weaponization of the Justice Department will end. America must have one level of justice for all.”

Democratic Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono: “You can’t say who won the 2020 election. It’s disturbing that you can’t give voice to that fact.”

What happens next

Bondi’s confirmation vote is expected in the coming weeks. If confirmed, she will oversee the Justice Department at a critical time, including politically sensitive investigations involving Hunter Biden and issues of election integrity.

Although Bondi has promised to lead with fairness and integrity, her close relationship with Trump and reluctance to distance herself from his allegations of election fraud are likely to remain focal points.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.