The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday to favorably report Pam Bondi’s nomination for U.S. attorney general to the Senate, clearing the way for a full Senate vote later this week. The vote was 12-10, with all 10 Democrats voting against.
Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, has a strong track record of combating drug trafficking, violent crime, and human trafficking. She also has 18 years of experience as a prosecutor for the Hillsborough County state attorney’s office.
The nomination has been met with praise from over 110 former senior Justice Department officials, including former attorneys general, and dozens of Democratic and Republican state attorneys general. They have described Bondi as an experienced and motivated prosecutor who is able to build consensus across party lines.
In her confirmation hearing, Bondi emphasized her commitment to a non-partisan approach, stating that “partisanship, the weaponization will be gone. America will have one tier of justice for all.”
However, her confirmation has been cast into doubt by President Trump’s actions in his first two weeks in office, including the firing of multiple inspectors general, the ousting of special counsel members, and the reassignment of top officials at the Department of Justice. Democrats have raised concerns about Trump’s willingness to use the Department of Justice for political purposes and have questioned Bondi’s ability to steer the department in the face of a president who has shown a willingness to use his power to settle scores with perceived enemies.
Despite these concerns, Bondi has maintained her composure and has outlined her vision for the Department of Justice, which includes a focus on combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crime.
If confirmed, Bondi’s former colleagues have told Fox News Digital that they expect her to bring a similar approach to Washington, with a focus on cracking down on drug trafficking and other crimes. David Aronberg, a Democrat who challenged Bondi in the Florida attorney general’s race, has described her as a strong leader who is willing to stand up to political pressure and do what she thinks is right.