Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and a staunch loyalist to President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as attorney general by the Senate.
In a 54-46 vote Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Bondi to lead the Justice Department. The vote fell along party lines, with the sole exception of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who joined the Republicans in favor of confirmation.
Bondi, who was picked after former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s nomination flamed out, faced a relatively smooth confirmation hearing. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned her about whether she would be willing to act independently of Trump, who has historically sought to bend his attorneys general to his will. She easily dodged some difficult questions and pleaded ignorance to others.
Bondi represented Trump in his first impeachment trial and has stood by him throughout his various legal troubles. She also backed his unfounded claims of widespread election fraud in 2020. As the country’s top prosecutor, she will serve in a role that has proved challenging under Trump in the past.
During his first term, Trump’s relationship with his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, quickly soured after Sessions recused himself from the DOJ investigation into Russian interference and potential collusion with the Trump campaign in the 2016 election. Trump repeatedly attacked Sessions, prompting him to issue rare public statements asserting his independence.
Trump’s next attorney general, William Barr, was arguably more obliging toward the president. Still, Barr resigned a month before Trump’s term ended after disputing his election fraud claims in 2020.
President Joe Biden’s attorney general, Merrick Garland, was also a frequent target of Trump’s — as was special counsel Jack Smith, who led two criminal investigations into Trump’s conduct. Smith resigned ahead of Trump’s inauguration, and Trump on Tuesday fired several DOJ employees who worked on those cases.
Bondi may not face the same challenges that previous attorneys general have had to contend with. While she testified during her confirmation hearing that “my duty … will be to the Constitution and the United States of America,” she has shown fierce loyalty to Trump in the past.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
