Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, said during her confirmation hearing Wednesday that she would not use the U.S. Justice Department to target people on political grounds.
Pressed repeatedly about her loyalty to Trump, she told senators: “There will never be a list of enemies within the Justice Department.” “I will not politicize the office.”
But Bondi, who would become the nation’s top law enforcement officer if confirmed in that role by a Senate vote, did not directly rule out opening an investigation into those who the president-elect crashed.
Asked whether she would investigate Jack Smith, who led two criminal cases against President Trump, she said, “It would be irresponsible to promise anything.”
During his campaign, President Trump repeatedly threatened to investigate and potentially prosecute his political enemies.
Bondi, who is likely to be confirmed as the 87th Attorney General of the United States due to the Republican Party’s majority in the Senate, emphasized throughout the hearing that he would maintain his independence.
But she agreed with President Trump that the federal charges against her were political persecution, and said the department had been “weaponized for years and years and years.”
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said the department was “infected with political decision-making” and had been “weaponized” under the Biden administration, particularly against Trump.
This explanation was echoed by other Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Bondi agreed with their assessment.
Meanwhile, questions from Democratic senators focused on whether Bondi would say no to the president-elect.
Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, told Bondi: “I am concerned that there could be a weaponization of the Justice Department during your term.” “We want to make sure that you remain independent.”
They also focused some of their questions on Kash Patel, the FBI director-nominee who will report to Bondi if confirmed.
The FBI nominee said he has an “enemy list” of people he would pursue if confirmed. Several senators asked Bondi about such comments, but she said she had never heard them and that the Justice Department would not have a list of such comments.
Bondi also told the committee he would look at potential clemency for the Capitol rioters “on a case-by-case basis,” but added that he condemned “all violence against law enforcement officers in this country.”
The Attorney General serves as head of the Department of Justice, enforcing federal law. Once the role is confirmed, Bondi plans to provide legal advice and opinions to the president and heads of administrative departments.
Her confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled but is expected in the coming days.
Senators on Wednesday also questioned Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as Trump’s secretary of state.
He warned that the United States must change course to avoid becoming more dependent on China and pledged to overhaul American foreign policy to focus on American interests.
