Pam Bondi, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. attorney general, testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on January 15, 2025. Following her testimony, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed her appointment with a 54-46 vote, marking a significant step in Trump’s efforts to assert his influence over the U.S. Justice Department.
Bondi, a former attorney general of Florida and a long-time ally of Trump, is expected to play a key role in shaping the department, especially after recent leadership changes that targeted investigators of the January 6 Capitol riot. Notably, Democratic Senator John Fetterman broke ranks with his party, joining all 53 Republicans in supporting her confirmation.
During her confirmation hearing, Bondi pledged to uphold the department’s independence and to avoid politicizing criminal and civil investigations. However, concerns linger among lawmakers about her willingness to resist any improper directives from Trump, particularly in light of recent firings of prosecutors who had pursued cases related to the former president.
After taking office on January 20, Trump issued an executive order condemning what he described as the “weaponization” of federal law enforcement, directing the attorney general to review the enforcement activities of all related agencies. Bondi, who has a history as a prosecutor and represented Trump during his first impeachment trial, has also supported some of his unfounded claims regarding voter fraud in the 2020 election.
In a notable financial disclosure, it was revealed that Bondi has a stake in Trump Media and Technology Group. Her confirmation comes after Trump’s initial choice for the attorney general position, former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration amid allegations of serious misconduct.
On the same day as Bondi’s confirmation, Senate committees moved forward with the nominations of other controversial figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for a top intelligence position.
