During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, witnesses were questioned on the qualifications and independence of Pam Bondi, the nominee for Trump's attorney general. The focus was on her ability to operate independently under a president who has a history of removing officials for not aligning with his political agenda.
Democrats raised concerns about how Bondi would handle a president who had dismissed former attorney general Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation and pressured the resignation of former attorney Bill Barr for stating that the Justice Department found no widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
Mary McCord, a former U.S. attorney critical of Trump, expressed worries about Bondi's independence, citing her defense of Trump during the first impeachment and public statements on potential prosecutions related to cases against him. McCord highlighted the potential lack of independence if Bondi were to investigate individuals involved in those matters.
However, David Aronberg, a Democrat appointed by Bondi during her tenure as Florida's attorney general, defended her integrity. Aronberg emphasized that Bondi is committed to upholding the law and would not hesitate to challenge the president-elect when necessary. He stated that as a seasoned prosecutor, Bondi understands the importance of following evidence and the law without bias.
Aronberg reassured lawmakers that Bondi's decisions as attorney general would be rooted in legal principles, even if they may differ from his own views. He expressed confidence that Bondi's extensive experience as a prosecutor would ensure her adherence to the law in all her actions.
