During a contentious confirmation hearing, Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, engaged in a fiery exchange with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who questioned her approach to pardons and potential investigations.
Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, firmly defended her ability to manage the top law enforcement role, even calling out Schiff for his prior censure by Congress.
Schiff started by pressing Bondi on hypothetical cases and her stance on presidential pardons.
“Will it be your advice to the President: ‘No, Mr. President. I need to go over them on a case-by-case basis. Do not issue blanket pardons?’” he asked, according to Trending Politics.
Bondi responded by explaining that she had not yet reviewed any files related to pardons but would do so thoroughly if confirmed.
“I will look at every file I am asked to look at,” she assured, adding, “I’m not going to mislead this body, nor you.”
The tension escalated when Schiff questioned whether she could review hundreds of cases immediately.
Bondi, unwavering, reiterated, “I will look at every file I am asked to look at.”
However, the exchange took a personal turn when Bondi referenced Schiff’s censure by Congress for his reckless comments.
“You were censured by Congress, Senator, for comments just like this that are so reckless!”
Bondi’s sharp remark struck a nerve, further intensifying the clash.
The hearing also turned to potential investigations into former Rep. Liz Cheney (D-WY), who is facing allegations of witness tampering related to her work on the Jan. 6 Committee.
“Are you aware of a factual predicate to investigate Liz Cheney?” Schiff asked Bondi, who deflected the question, emphasizing that no one had asked her to investigate Cheney.
She shifted the focus to the rising crime rate in California, declaring, “The crime rate in California right now is through the roof. Your robberies are 87% higher than the national average.”
“That’s what I want to be focused on, Senator, if I’m confirmed as Attorney General.”
Earlier in the hearing, Bondi faced another confrontation with Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D), who pressed her about Trump’s 2020 call with Georgia officials, aiming to have her agree that he was attempting to interfere with the election. Bondi questioned the context of the call, noting it was longer than the brief quote often cited and included concerns about potential voter fraud and the handling of drop boxes.
Durbin conceded the call was more complex than it had been portrayed, but Bondi’s pushback left him flustered as he attempted to catch her with a “gotcha” question.
Bondi’s refusal to be cornered by Schiff’s and Durbin’s probing questions won praise from Republican senators in attendance, highlighting her combative and unyielding style. Supporters argue that these qualities make her well-suited for the Attorney General position, as she would be able to confront political adversaries and protect the rule of law.
Bondi’s nomination to be U.S. Attorney General follows the resignation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who stepped down amid controversies. Trump nominated Bondi in November, and her confirmation has garnered support from over 100 former Justice Department officials.
They commend Bondi’s dedication to the rule of law, pointing to her track record as Florida’s Attorney General as evidence of her qualifications for the position.
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