The attorney general is the head of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. This position wields immense power, with responsibilities that include overseeing federal investigations and prosecuting major cases. The decisions made by the attorney general impact countless lives—shaping the trajectory of criminal justice policy, determining how laws are enforced, and deciding who to investigate. Ultimately, the attorney general holds the authority to either strengthen public trust in the United States legal system or erode it completely.
On January 15th, Pam Bondi—the former Florida attorney general who represented Trump during his first impeachment—appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her US attorney general nomination hearing. She answered a series of questions regarding the position from both Democratic and Republican senators. While her nomination isn’t likely to be rejected, this hearing still plays a fundamental role in shaping public and political perceptions of her suitability to serve in this role. The attorney general during Trump’s first term, Bill Barr, was a major part of many legal controversies—often ones where Trump relied on him for problematic favors, meaning that more than ever, Bondi is in the spotlight.
During the beginning of the hearing, Bondi touched on her prosecutorial experience and her goals for the future of the Department of Justice. In her opening statement, she specifically spoke about her goal of getting the Department of Justice “back to the basics” and her hopes of keeping America safe and “vigorously prosecuting.”
By any unbiased measure, Bondi has the resume and qualifications for this position with her 18 years of work as a local prosecutor in Florida shutting down drug and human trafficking operations. However, because her qualifications were widely uncontested, Wednesday’s hearing quickly diverged from the subject of Bondi’s eligibility.
The primary subject of the hearing centered on whether her political affiliation and connection with President Trump would interfere with her decision-making regarding who the DOJ investigates. Questions from Hawaii senator Mazie Hirono particularly stuck out. Hirono stated that she is “focused on…a fitness to serve, which includes putting loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to the president.” Hirono then began her questioning saying, “We want an attorney general who bases decisions on facts. So, I want to ask you a factual question. Who won the 2020 presidential election?” Bondi, circumventing the question and failing to acknowledge the winner of the 2020 election, responded, “Joe Biden is the president.” Hirono then moved on asking, “I’d like to know whether you agree with some of the statements president elect Trump made during [his]…campaign. First, are the felons convicted of breaking into the Capitol on January 6th hostages or patriots? I’m quoting Trump as President elect…Do you agree with his characterization of the felons that I referred to?” Bondi replied, “I am not familiar with that statement.” Hirono then responded “I just familiarized you with that statement.” to which Bondi once again claimed unfamiliarity.
Questioning throughout the hearing continued similarly, with Senators asking pointed questions and Bondi avoiding direct answers. While the hearing didn’t deliver on all fronts, it did underscore fears that political motivations and blind loyalty to the President could overly influence the Department of Justice’s future decisions.
If Bondi’s nomination is approved, she will hold an immense amount of power within the DOJ and will essentially be given the unrestrained ability to open criminal investigations. These investigations can permanently change careers, lives, and relationships—often for the worse. Bondi will hold the power to investigate Trump’s perceived political opponents, and act on any and all of Trump’s orders, meaning that her judgment and personal moral code will be all that stand in the way of an abuse of power. The decision of how she will wield her newfound authority rests solely on her.