Pam Bondi, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the new U.S. Attorney General in a 54-46 Senate vote that highlights the deep partisan divide in Washington.
Key Takeaways
- Pam Bondi confirmed as U.S. Attorney General with a 54-46 Senate vote, mostly along party lines.
- Bondi, Florida’s first female attorney general, is a former corporate lobbyist and Trump ally.
- Her confirmation comes amid turmoil in the Justice Department, with recent firings of employees seen as disloyal to Trump.
- Republicans support Bondi, while Democrats express concerns about potential political motivations in her decision-making.
- Bondi has promised to refocus the Department of Justice on fighting crime and enhancing safety.
Senate Confirmation Amidst Partisan Tensions
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Pam Bondi as the new Attorney General, with a vote that largely followed party lines. The 54-46 outcome reflects the deep political divisions in Washington, as Republicans rallied behind Bondi while most Democrats opposed her nomination. This confirmation comes at a crucial time for the Department of Justice, which has been under scrutiny and facing significant changes under the Trump administration.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed his support for Bondi, stating, “Pam Bondi has promised to get the department back to its core mission: prosecuting crime and protecting Americans from threats to their safety and their freedoms.” This sentiment echoes the Republican view that Bondi will bring a much-needed refocus to the Justice Department’s priorities.
#BREAKING: The Senate confirms ATTORNEY GENERAL Pam Bondi.
Great day for the rule of law! pic.twitter.com/xardEXiPTE
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) February 5, 2025
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite Republican support, Bondi’s confirmation has not been without controversy. Democrats have raised concerns about her close ties to Trump and her past statements echoing his claims of political persecution by the Justice Department. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt., criticized what he perceived as a loyalty oath to Trump, stating, “That clearly is a loyalty oath to him as opposed to a demand for straightforward, candid advice, including if the president is asking for something to be done like the prosecution of a political adversary.”
Further complicating matters, Bondi’s confirmation comes in the wake of recent Justice Department turmoil, including the forced resignation of senior FBI executives and the firing of prosecutors involved in Trump-related investigations. These actions have led to a lawsuit by FBI agents against the Justice Department, fearing mass firings of employees involved in January 6 prosecutions.
Bondi’s Vision for the Justice Department
In her confirmation hearings, Bondi sought to address these concerns by promising not to politicize the office and to serve the public, not the president. She emphasized her commitment to individually weighing pardoning cases and her determination to tackle crime. Bondi stated, “As I said, the pardons are at the direction of the president. We will look, and we will advise. I will look at every case on a case-by-case basis, and I abhor violence to police officers.”
As Bondi takes the helm of the Justice Department, she faces the challenging task of navigating the complex political landscape while maintaining the department’s integrity and focus on its core mission. Her actions in the coming months will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike, as she seeks to implement her vision for the department and address the concerns raised during her confirmation process.
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Senate confirms Pam Bondi as US attorney general, putting Trump ally at Justice Department’s helm
U.S. Senate confirms Florida’s Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general
Senate confirms Pam Bondi as attorney general
