Pam Bondi sworn in as attorney general

Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Pam Bondi was sworn in as attorney general with President Donald Trump looking on in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Trump said Florida's former attorney general will be impartial, as possible.

"I know I'm supposed to say, 'She's going to be totally impartial with respect to Democrats,'" Trump said. "And I think she will be as impartial as a person can be."

Bondi was confirmed 54-46 on Wednesday with Democrats complaining that they were concerned that Bondi would not resist Trump for wanting to go after opponents for political reasons.

"I am honored that you have asked me to take on this role, and I will make you proud and I will make this country proud," Bondi said. "I will restore integrity to the Justice Department, and I will fight violent crime throughout this country and throughout this world and make America safe again."

Bondi, who helped defend Trump during his first impeachment trial, charged that the Justice Department was "weaponized" against Trump during his first term as president. She had been critical of the investigation involving the handling of classified files and attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.