The Capitol recently played host to a tense confirmation hearing for Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s pick for Attorney General.
In the hearing, Pam Bondi answered pointed questions from senators concerning her ability to act independently and without bias, Fox News reported.
During the lengthy session, Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California known for his adversarial stance towards Trump, rigorously questioned Bondi. He posed questions about her potential to investigate figures like former Special Counsel Jack Smith and former Representative Liz Cheney. Schiff also doubted her ability to oppose any politically motivated actions by the President, including issues surrounding the 2020 election results.
Senator Schiff's interrogation extended to probing Bondi on whether she would advise Trump against offering blanket pardons. His lines of inquiry reflected concerns about Bondi's independence and impartiality in her potential role as Attorney General.
Senator Schiff, who had been censured by Congress in 2023 for his assertions on Trump’s 2016 campaign collaboration with Russia, received a firm rebuttal from Bondi during the hearing. As the discussions got more heated, Bondi condemned Schiff's past actions and his current questioning style.
Another Democrat, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island, contributed to the intense questioning, emphasizing concerns about the "weaponization" of the DOJ. He pushed Bondi on the standards of prosecutorial conduct, stressing the importance of initiating investigations based on evidence of crimes rather than political affiliations or personal vendettas.
Bondi responded to Senate concerns by insisting on a focus on rising crime rates rather than political adversaries. Speaking on the issues, Bondi highlighted her priorities as focusing on crime across the country, citing specifically high crime rates in California.
During a particularly heated exchange, Bondi told Schiff, “Senator, no one asked me to investigate Liz Cheney, that is a hypothetical. What I can tell you is I will never play politics, you're trying to engage me in a gotcha.”
Republican and Democrat senators alike presented Bondi with hypothetical scenarios questioning her ability to handle potential conflicts of interest and her capability to act independently of the White House.
Reflecting on her upcoming responsibilities, Bondi mentioned the task of reviewing hundreds of cases from day one without prejudice or bias.
Addressing Senator Schiff’s concerns directly, Bondi criticized the senator for what she perceived as reckless comments that mirrored those that had previously led to his censure.
The session demonstrated the ongoing political divisions within the Senate, with some Senators focusing on what they see as ongoing issues of justice and partisanship within government branches.
Bondi reiterated her commitment to focusing on prosecuting crimes rather than political figures, distancing herself from what she described as the wrongful "weaponization" of judicial powers against individuals, including Donald Trump.
As the confirmation hearing closed, it became evident that the controversies surrounding interpretations of justice and the role of political bias within the DOJ would continue to be a contentious issue. Pam Bondi emphasized what she called a need to return to the fundamental principles of justice, highlighting her intent to shift attention toward handling rising crime rather than political conflicts.
