Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department, faced her Senate confirmation hearing amid scrutiny about her past ties to the president and her handling of contentious issues.
The first day of the hearing turned contentious, marked by pointed exchanges with Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Many lawmakers raised concerns about Bondi's independence from Trump, particularly as she has consistently supported his controversial actions and claims.
During her testimony, Bondi was pressed by Sen. Adam Schiff on whether she would be willing to investigate special counsel Jack Smith, who led investigations resulting in Trump's indictments. "Senator, I haven't seen the file. I haven’t seen the investigation, I haven’t looked at anything," she replied, indicating her lack of familiarity with the matter and deflecting the question. Schiff continued to press, asking if there was any factual reason to investigate Smith; Bondi maintained her stance of not confirming any inquiry without having seen any evidence to warrant it.
Sen. Mazie Hirono and others also took Bondi to task on her previous statements concerning the legitimacy of the 2020 election. While she acknowledged Joe Biden as president, she stopped short of affirming Biden's victory, which many regarded as evasiveness. “Joe Biden is the president of the United States,” Bondi stated, but differing from simply stating the election's outcome. Hirono expressed her dismay, noting, "It’s disturbing you can’t give voice to [that fact]." This added fuel to the bipartisan suspicion surrounding Bondi's commitment to uphold the department's integrity.
Bondi faced additional scrutiny over her stance on the January 6 defendants, as Democrats highlighted Trump's potential moves to pardon those involved. While she said, "I abhor violence to police officers," she also insisted any pardons would depend on Trump’s discretion, which raised eyebrows. Bondi noted she would review cases individually if asked, yet Senate Democrats remained highly skeptical of her ability to act impartially under Trump's administration.
Consistent throughout her questioning was Bondi's refrain of being "not familiar" with several of Trump's more controversial statements, including those equipping supporters labeled as "patriots" by Trump. This tactic drew criticism, with Hirono questioning her lack of knowledge, putting Bondi's claims of independence under the spotlight. "I have never heard of a statement attaching to it at all," Bondi said, when asked about QAnon-related remarks. This claimed ignorance contributed to perceptions of her as disengaged from domestic political issues.
Despite the serious concerns voiced from the Democratic side, Bondi did receive support from key Republican senators, who backed her performance. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley praised her handling of tough questions, calling her performance "outstanding," and assuring her strength as attorney general would help change the culture within the department. Grassley acknowledged Republicans were confident Bondi would not shy away from confronting the so-called 'deep state' and ensuring accountability for the Justice Department under her watch.
Bondi's confirmation is poised to symbolize not just her loyalty to Trump, but also his broader agenda for the Justice Department, which includes potential investigations against perceived adversaries and strict policies to counter illegal immigration. During the hearing, she committed to maintaining the department’s independence from political influence, stating, "The Department of Justice will act independently and politics will not play any part," addressing concerns surrounding potential bias stemming from her close relationship with Trump. Nonetheless, this promise led to questions about whether she could fulfill this role, especially as many Democrats believed the previous administration's approach had politicized the Justice Department.
Heading toward the end of the first day of questioning, Bondi’s confirmation appeared uncertain. While many Republicans showcased strong support for her nomination, challenges remained clear amid Democrats' pointed inquiries about her independence and willingness to uphold the principles of justice fairly and equitably.
What remains to be seen is how her confirmation will affect the Justice Department under Trump, especially as she has occasionally demonstrated non-committal stances on pivotal questions. With the hearings continuing, the focus is on how Republican support holds up against the backdrop of widespread concerns about political influence on this important federal office.