Advertisement

Witnesses vouch for AG pick Pam Bondi's fitness in second confirmation hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a second day of its confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, on Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
1 of 3 | The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a second day of its confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, on Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a second day of its confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, on Thursday.

Bondi, the former Florida attorney general and legal adviser to Trump during his first impeachment in 2019, faced nearly six hours of sometimes tense questioning on Wednesday. She was not in attendance for Thursday's hearing that focused on witness testimony.

Advertisement

Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, opined that Bondi demonstrated she is "well qualified" on Wednesday as she recounted her service as attorney general of Florida.

"She will enact desperately needed changes at a department that has been politicized and weaponized for partisan ends with almost 30 years of experience behind her," Grassley said. "Her commitment to the rule of law emerged as a central theme of our discussion yesterday, and as I made clear in my opening statement yesterday, that is what I believe the department in this country desperately needs today."

Advertisement

Ranking Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., did not share Grassley's impression of Bondi. He chided her for refusing to clearly state that Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. He also took umbrage with her stating there was a peaceful transfer of power after Trump's loss, ignoring the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Anyone who is guilty of violence, certainly guilty of violence should not be pardoned on day that you're sworn in as president. So I was at least disappointed by her answer," Durbin said.

Several of the witnesses called by Republicans were former state attorneys from Florida and law enforcement officials. They assured that Bondi would remain independent in her duty leading the Justice Department.

"Some of the criticism comes in that she is loyal to President Trump. She is," said Dave Aronberg, a former Palm Beach County, Fla., attorney. "But I never believed that if asked to do something illegal that she would normally do that and she would never step across the line."

Former Justice Department attorney Mary McCord made clear that Bondi will not be immune from prosecution if she engages in illegal or unconstitutional activities under Trump's direction, if confirmed.

Advertisement

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., recalled Bondi's response from Wednesday that she would not commit to keeping evidence from the Capitol riot investigation. In response, McCord said destroying evidence would make Bondi subject to prosecution.

"There certainly are Federal Records Act obligations that require the records being made and so I think that she would be well advised to consult with attorneys, career attorneys, who specialize in that in the Department of Justice, and be guided by their counsel," McCord said.

The hearing lasted about two hours.

Republican senators lauded her experience and dismissed concerns about her relationship with Trump. Democrats were concerned she would not be willing to tell the president-elect "no."

Democrats pushed Bondi to rebuke her denial of the 2020 election results. She refused, simply repeating, "Joe Biden is the president," followed by boasting about Trump's 2024 election victory.

Bondi was also pushed to take a position on FBI director nominee Kash Patel's comments about arresting political opponents and journalists, and bringing an "enemies list" into the bureau. Bondi said she does not believe there is an enemies list and none would be adopted by the Department of Justice.

If both are confirmed, Patel would serve under Bondi but would still have decision-making authority.

Advertisement

Several Republican senators doubted that Trump or Bondi would pardon violent offenders who participated in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Bondi said she would review each case if asked but condemned any violent attacks against law enforcement officers.

Confirmation hearings have begun in earnest this week with several of the cabinet's top justice, defense and intelligence nominees appearing before senate panels. Bondi and secretary of defense pick Pete Hegseth have faced the most criticism from the other side of the aisle.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was welcomed more warmly by Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

"Senator Rubio, I'm very, very happy that you're nominated for this position," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said.

Latest Headlines