The Republican-led U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Pam Bondi as the new Attorney General, following a 54-46 vote in favor of her nomination by President Donald Trump. This decision came after a week-long delay prompted by Senate Democrats.
The vote had initially been postponed when the Senate Judiciary Committee canceled its scheduled hearing, where members were set to advance Bondi’s nomination to the full Senate. According to a notice from the committee, the delay was triggered by a procedural rule that allows any member to request a one-week hold on items under consideration.
“Per Judiciary Committee Rule I.3, any member of the Committee may request an item on the Committee’s agenda be held over for a minimum of seven days. Holds are common practice in the Senate Judiciary Committee,” the notice explained. “Pursuant to this rule, the Minority will hold Bondi’s nomination for seven days. As a result of this hold, the Committee will not meet in person for this week’s executive business meeting,” it added.
Despite the delay, Bondi’s confirmation proceeded as scheduled after the hold expired, with strong support from Senate Republicans. Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General, previously testified before the Judiciary Committee in a confirmation hearing last month. During the hearing, she emphasized her commitment to restoring trust in the Department of Justice.
“If confirmed, I will fight every day to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice and each of its components,” Bondi asserted during her testimony. “The partisanship, the weaponization—it will be gone. America will have one tier of justice for all.”
Her testimony and previous experience as Florida’s Attorney General were central to garnering support for her nomination. However, Bondi faced significant scrutiny from some Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee, including Senator Adam Schiff of California.
During a tense exchange, Schiff pressed Bondi on whether she would challenge the president on certain controversial pardons, particularly those related to individuals convicted of low-level crimes stemming from the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
“Will it be your advice to the President: ‘No, Mr. President. I need to go over them on a case-by-case basis. Do not issue blanket pardons,’” Schiff asked.
Bondi responded by maintaining that she would handle each matter independently, emphasizing a case-by-case review approach without offering a blanket commitment to Schiff’s line of questioning. This response underscored her loyalty to the principle of impartiality within the Department of Justice.
The nomination and confirmation process highlighted the ongoing partisan tensions in Washington. Democratic senators expressed concerns over Bondi’s ability to maintain independence from President Trump, pointing to her previous political affiliations and public defense of the former president. On the other hand, Republican lawmakers praised her track record as a tough and principled attorney.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commended Bondi’s experience and commitment. “Pam Bondi has a proven record of standing up for the rule of law and protecting the interests of the people she serves. Her leadership will be invaluable at the Department of Justice,” McConnell stated.
Bondi’s supporters in the Senate underscored her accomplishments in Florida, where she focused on consumer protection and combating human trafficking. They argued that these successes demonstrated her capability to lead the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
With her confirmation now secured, Bondi faces the monumental task of leading the Department of Justice during a politically charged era. One of her immediate challenges will be navigating high-profile cases and addressing the public’s concerns about the perceived politicization of the department.
Bondi’s pledge to uphold impartiality and integrity will likely remain under intense scrutiny as she begins her tenure. Her ability to balance loyalty to the administration with a commitment to the rule of law will be key to gaining trust across the political spectrum and among the American public.
Despite the contentious nature of her confirmation process, Bondi expressed optimism and determination to fulfill her responsibilities with fairness and transparency. “Justice must be impartial, and that’s exactly what I intend to deliver,” she declared following the Senate vote.
As she takes on the role of Attorney General, Bondi’s leadership will be closely watched as she strives to navigate the complexities of the Justice Department and deliver on her promises of reform and impartiality.
