Pam Bondi downplays politics at confirmation hearing
Trump's pick for attorney general claimed her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political reasons


What happened
Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, sparred with Senate Democrats during her confirmation hearing Wednesday about whether her avowed loyalty to Trump would turn the Justice Department into a tool of retribution against the president's perceived enemies.
Who said what
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, said she would not "politicize" the office and "politics will not play a part" in prosecutorial decisions. But she "also refused to rule out" investigating Trump adversaries, "including investigators who investigated him," during the "often-testy" hearing, The Associated Press said.
Republicans cast Bondi as a "qualified pick," while Democrats "repeatedly accused her of dodging basic yes-or-no questions about election denialism," prosecuting "Trump's political enemies" and how she would handle attempts by Trump to influence Justice Department actions, The New York Times said. Senators in both parties predicted she "would be easily confirmed" and "expressed relief" that Matt Gaetz, Trump's first pick, "had stepped aside."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
There was "much more skepticism expressed" at Bondi's hearing about Kash Patel, Trump's controversial pick to lead the FBI, The Washington Post said. At times the questions for Bondi seemed more a "prelude" to Patel's "as-yet unscheduled confirmation hearings," the Times said. Bondi faces the Judiciary Committee again Thursday for a second round of hearings.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Are AI lovers replacing humans?
Talking Points A third of Gen Z singles use tech as a 'romantic companion'
-
What are the Trump Accounts for kids and how do they work?
The Explainer Parents will soon be able to open tax-advantaged investment accounts on their child's behalf
-
'This comes with policy implications'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Deportations: The growing backlash
Feature New poll numbers show declining support for Trump's deportation crackdown
-
Is Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' cancellation an omen of something worse?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION CBS said its decision to end the talk show was strictly business. But the timing and nature of the announcement has some observers wondering if there's more at play behind the scenes.
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Citizenship: Trump order blocked again
Feature After the Supreme Court restricted nationwide injunctions, a federal judge turned to a class action suit to block Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
-
Epstein: Why MAGA won't move on
Feature Trump's supporters are turning on him after he denied the existence of Epstein's client list
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
Trump officials who hold more than one job
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Wearing multiple hats has become the norm inside a White House known for a revolving door of functionaries and officials