U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi faced off with Democratic senators during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., defending herself against allegations that the Justice Department was being politicized to benefit President Donald Trump and target his opponents. Bondi, appearing before the Senate judiciary committee for the first time since her confirmation, emphasized the Department’s focus on combating real crime and commended local authorities for supporting the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., and Memphis.
Senator Dick Durbin criticized Bondi for firing career prosecutors and agents involved in investigations condemned by Trump, as well as reducing efforts to combat corruption and white-collar crime. Durbin accused Bondi of significantly altering the Justice Department in a short period, leaving a lasting negative impact on American history.
Bondi faced scrutiny from Democratic senators, including Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar, for not disclosing whether she had discussed prosecuting James Comey with Trump. Comey, the former FBI director, is facing charges of making false statements and obstruction of Congress. Bondi’s responses to questions about Trump’s social media post urging investigations into political adversaries, including Comey, were evasive.
The indictment of Comey in Virginia raised questions, with a Republican U.S. attorney resigning before the charges were filed. Bondi’s interactions with senators further revealed political tensions, with accusations of politicizing the Justice Department during Biden’s administration and clashes over various issues, including the handling of investigations and federal interventions.
Republicans on the panel expressed outrage over a report revealing FBI scrutiny of phone records of GOP lawmakers as part of investigations into Trump’s actions post-2020 election. Bondi criticized the handling of such records, calling it a breach of public trust that undermines faith in the law enforcement system.
Overall, the hearing highlighted the contentious relationship between the Attorney General and lawmakers, showcasing disagreements on various legal and political matters while underscoring the deep divisions within the current administration.