President elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general Pam Bondi is being questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Democrats are expected to press her on whether she will prioritize loyalty to Trump over her constitutional duty.
In her opening statement, the former Florida attorney general emphasized to lawmakers that she would not use the federal law enforcement agency to attack political rivals and endeavor to “restore confidence and integrity” to the department. Trump has repeatedly suggested in his second term he would leverage his prosecutorial power against adversaries.
“The partisanship, the weaponization will be gone,” Bondi said in her statement. “America must have one tier of justice for all.”
With Bondi’s confirmation all but certain, Democrats are expected to use the hearing to attack Trump, as opposed to the nominee herself. Democratic senators have acknowledged her qualifications for the position as a former prosecutor with a long background in law enforcement, despite her role in Trump’s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Bondi also emphasized her work on issues of potential bipartisan concern, like Big Tech oversight and the opioid epidemic. She vowed to work “across the aisle” on issues of criminal justice reform.
