Senate confirms Pam Bondi as US attorney general

The Senate voted 54-46 on Tuesday to confirm Pam Bondi as the next U.S. attorney general, advancing President Donald Trump’s nominee. Bondi, a veteran prosecutor and former Florida attorney general, will now take charge of the Department of Justice.

The confirmation saw a rare bipartisan moment as Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) broke ranks with his party, becoming the sole Democrat to vote in favor of Bondi’s appointment.

Bondi steps into the role during a turbulent period, with Democrats closely scrutinizing Trump’s recent actions—including his controversial pardons and commutations for 1,600 individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The administration’s decision to dismiss over 15 inspectors general and special counsel investigators has further fueled tensions.

Although no official plans to discipline Jan. 6 investigators have been announced, concerns have escalated following internal DOJ directives. Last week, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed the acting FBI director to compile a list of all current and former agents involved in Jan. 6 cases for review.

This move prompted immediate legal action. On Tuesday, FBI agents filed two lawsuits in federal court seeking emergency relief, arguing that any effort to target personnel involved in these cases would constitute unlawful retaliation and violate civil service protections.

Throughout her confirmation hearings, Bondi repeatedly emphasized her commitment to keeping politics out of law enforcement. She reassured lawmakers of her intention to uphold impartiality in her new role.

"We need to ensure politics does not interfere with justice," Bondi stated during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.

Her nomination drew praise from both Republicans and some Democrats, who lauded her composure and adept handling of politically charged questioning. Given her performance, her confirmation was widely anticipated.

Bondi also gained endorsements from over 110 former senior Justice Department officials, including past attorneys general and bipartisan state attorneys general. Supporters described her as a pragmatic prosecutor with a record of fostering collaboration over division.

"Few attorneys general have such extensive hands-on experience in public safety and criminal justice," a group of former DOJ officials wrote in a letter advocating for her appointment.

Colleagues from Bondi’s tenure in Florida expect her to bring a strong law-and-order approach to Washington, particularly in combating drug trafficking, fentanyl distribution, and cartel activity at the border.

Dave Aronberg, a Democrat who previously ran against Bondi for Florida attorney general, recalled being surprised when she later invited him to serve as her drug czar. He noted that Bondi had previously defied party expectations.

"When she took office, she faced backlash from her own party for appointing a Democrat to a senior position," Aronberg told Fox News Digital. "But she stood her ground and prioritized what she believed was right over political considerations. That gives me hope that she will steer the Justice Department with a focus on policy rather than partisanship."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) echoed these sentiments in remarks on the Senate floor Monday night. He highlighted Bondi’s historic tenure as Florida’s first female attorney general, praising her efforts to crack down on pill mills, clear the backlog of untested rape kits, and uphold public safety.

"Pam Bondi was re-elected by a wide margin because of her strong leadership and commitment to justice," Grassley said shortly before the final confirmation vote.

This article was reported by journalist Angelia.