The Senate voted 54-46 late Tuesday to confirm Pam Bondi as President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Bondi, a longtime prosecutor and former Florida attorney general, will now head the U.S. Department of Justice.
Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke party lines to join Republicans in supporting Bondi, making the vote bipartisan. Bondi's confirmation comes amid scrutiny of the Justice Department and FBI by Democrats in Congress over recent decisions by President Trump.
Despite concerns raised by Democrats, there are currently no plans for sweeping removals or punitive actions against agents involved in the Jan. 6 investigations. However, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove's directive to review current and former FBI employees assigned to the Jan. 6 cases has sparked fresh concerns.
Bondi has emphasized that she will not use her position to advance any political agenda, stating that politics must be removed from the system. Her nomination received praise from both Republicans and some Democrats for her composure and ability to navigate politically sensitive topics during her confirmation hearing.
Over 110 former senior Justice Department officials, including former attorneys general, endorsed Bondi's nomination, highlighting her experience and bipartisan approach. Bondi's former colleagues in Florida expect her to focus on combating drug trafficking, illicit fentanyl use, and drug cartels at the national level.
Democrat Dave Aronberg, who previously challenged Bondi for Florida attorney general, commended her for standing up to political pressures and expressed hope that she would prioritize policy over politics at the Department of Justice.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley lauded Bondi's prosecutorial experience and public service record, noting her historic tenure as the first female attorney general in Florida. Grassley highlighted Bondi's accomplishments in combating pill mills, addressing rape kit backlogs, and upholding law and order during her time as Florida's attorney general.
