WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Pam Bondi, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, reassured the Senate Judiciary Committee that she would not use the U.S. Justice Department as a tool to target individuals based on their political beliefs. This statement comes amid concerns that the president-elect may use law enforcement to go after his opponents.
“I want to make it clear that there will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice,” Bondi stated. “I will not politicize this office and I will not target people simply because of their political affiliation.”
Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, gained attention for her role in defending Trump during his 2019 impeachment trial. She played a key role in his acquittal on charges of pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, now-President Joe Biden.
During her confirmation hearing, Bondi criticized past investigations and prosecutions of Trump by the Justice Department, suggesting they were politically motivated and evidence of partisan “weaponization.”
However, Bondi reassured the committee that she would remain independent and not allow any political influence to affect her decisions as attorney general. This is a crucial quality for the head of the Justice Department, especially in light of Trump’s previous threats to use the U.S. justice system to seek revenge against his political enemies.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, expressed his concerns about the potential for the Justice Department to be “weaponized” under Bondi’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of her remaining independent and not allowing any political bias to interfere with her duties.
The Republican-majority Senate is currently evaluating a wave of cabinet picks, some of which have been controversial. Bondi’s hearing follows a fiery session with Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, on Tuesday. On Thursday, the committee will hear from Scott Bessent, Trump’s choice for treasury secretary.
During her hearing, Bondi also addressed the issue of potential pardons for those involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. She stated that she would evaluate each case individually if asked, but did not make any promises regarding pardons. Trump has previously indicated that he may pardon some of the individuals charged in connection with the riot, but has suggested that those who were violent may not receive clemency.
If confirmed, Bondi pledged to prioritize prosecuting violent crime, gangs, child sex abusers, and drug traffickers. She also highlighted the importance of protecting the country from “terrorists and other foreign threats” and addressing the crisis at the border.
In addition, Bondi stated that she would focus on protecting free speech, religious freedom, and the right to bear arms. She also expressed her commitment to fixing the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which she believes has suffered from mismanagement, lack of funding, and low morale.
Senator Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the committee, praised Bondi’s experience and emphasized the need for accountability within the Justice Department. He stated that any actions Bondi takes to change the department’s course must be for the purpose of preventing the type of political decision-making that has occurred in the past.
One of the issues that has raised concerns about Bondi’s nomination is her past relationship with Trump. In 2013, while serving as Florida’s attorney general, Bondi declined to join other states in investigating Trump University. Shortly after, a political action committee supporting her campaign received a $25,000 donation from the Trump Foundation. The for-profit venture closed in 2018, and a federal judge approved a $25 million settlement to close lawsuits brought by former students who claimed they were lured by false promises.
Bondi has denied any connection between the donation and her decision not to investigate Trump University. However, following Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election, she appeared at press conferences and on television shows where she echoed some of his false claims about election fraud.
In addition to her role as attorney general and her work defending Trump, Bondi has also been a lobbyist for Ballard Partners since 2019. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as federal ethics rules generally require government employees to recuse themselves from participating in matters that could have a direct financial impact on them.
Bondi’s current or former lobbying clients include several foreign governments, as well as major companies such as Amazon, Uber, and General Motors. Some of these companies have been under investigation by
