Pam Bondi Vows Independence as Attorney General

Pam Bondi, Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, has assured senators that she will maintain the independence of the Justice Department and not use it to target individuals based on their political affiliations, a pledge that comes amidst concerns about her loyalty to the president.

During her confirmation hearing, Bondi stated that "there will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice," aiming to alleviate fears that she might exploit her position to pursue Trump's adversaries. She also mirrored Trump's stance that the Justice Department has been "weaponized" under the Biden administration, suggesting she might not initiate investigations into those with whom Trump has had public disagreements.

Bondi faced intense questioning from Democratic senators regarding her potential to remain impartial, given her reputation as a Trump "loyalist." While she refrained from directly addressing questions about investigating specific individuals, such as Jack Smith, who has led cases against Trump, she emphasized her commitment to independence. However, she criticized past political decision-making within the Justice Department, aligning with Trump's claims of political persecution.

The confirmation vote for Bondi has not been scheduled but is anticipated to take place in the near future. Her responses during the hearing have provided insight into her approach, including her stance on pardoning Capitol rioters, which she said would be considered on a case-by-case basis, reflecting the complex and nuanced nature of the role she is nominated to fill.