The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday to favorably report Pam Bondi’s nomination for U.S. attorney general to the Senate, a widely anticipated decision that paves the way for a vote in the full chamber later this week.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, garnered the support of all 12 Republican members of the committee, while all 10 Democrats voted against her nomination.
Known for her tough stance on drug trafficking and violent crime, Bondi made a name for herself in Florida by addressing the proliferation of “pill mills” in the state. With 18 years of experience as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County state attorney’s office, many believe she possesses the necessary qualifications to lead the Department of Justice.
Her nomination was expected to proceed smoothly ahead of Wednesday’s vote. Bondi’s candidacy for President Donald Trump’s attorney general received endorsements from over 110 former senior Justice Department officials, including past attorneys general, as well as numerous Democratic and Republican state attorneys general. They praised her experience and ability to work across party lines.
Supporters described Bondi as an experienced and motivated prosecutor, highlighting her track record as more of a consensus-builder than a divisive figure.
During her confirmation hearing earlier this month, Bondi emphasized her commitment to eradicating partisanship and ensuring that “America will have one tier of justice for all” if she is confirmed to lead the DOJ.
The confirmation vote on Wednesday took place against a markedly different political backdrop than two weeks earlier, when Bondi testified just days before Trump’s swearing-in. In his initial nine days in office, Trump dismissed over 15 inspectors general from key federal agencies, removed more than a dozen special counsel members investigating him, and reassigned or ousted officials from top positions within the department.
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Additionally, he implemented a hiring freeze at the DOJ, granted clemency to over 1,500 individuals charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, and appointed a criminal defense attorney as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who had previously represented several high-profile rioters.
These actions have raised significant concerns among Democrats regarding Bondi’s capability to navigate the Justice Department under a president who has displayed a willingness to act impulsively. They questioned her commitment to pursuing political “enemies” and sought clarification on remarks made by Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI nominee.
Despite these challenges, Bondi maintained a composed demeanor throughout her lengthy confirmation hearing, which lasted over five hours, excluding a 30-minute lunch break. She reiterated her commitment to combating violent crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, while outlining her vision for a Justice Department free from political influence.
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If confirmed, Bondi’s former colleagues expect her to apply the same strategies she utilized in Florida to address drug trafficking, illicit fentanyl use, and the cartels responsible for drug smuggling across the border.
Democrat Dave Aronberg, who previously challenged Bondi for the Florida attorney general position, expressed his surprise when she reached out to him after her election victory, inviting him to serve as her drug czar. Aronberg noted that Bondi has faced political challenges before, having received considerable pushback from Republican Party members during her tenure, particularly for appointing a Democrat to a high-ranking position.
“But she stood up to them and did what she thought was right, regardless of political pressure,” Aronberg stated, expressing optimism about her potential to refocus the Department of Justice on crucial policy issues. He highlighted concerns over border security, human trafficking, and the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses, suggesting that these may not be politically popular stances.