Pam Bondi Confirmed as Attorney General Amid DOJ Shakeup

Pam Bondi Confirmed as Attorney General Amid DOJ Shakeup \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general in a 54-46 vote, with Democrat John Fetterman joining Republicans. Bondi, a longtime Trump ally, will oversee a Justice Department in turmoil, following mass firings of FBI officials tied to the Jan. 6 prosecutions. Critics fear political interference, while Bondi vows to end the “weaponization” of justice.

Pam Bondi Confirmed as U.S. Attorney General – Quick Looks

• Trump ally confirmed: Senate approved Bondi 54-46, with only one Democrat crossing party lines.
• Justice Department overhaul: Bondi inherits a DOJ shaken by mass firings of FBI and special counsel staff.
• Controversial nomination: Critics fear Bondi will politicize prosecutions, but she vows impartiality.
• Jan. 6 probe under scrutiny: DOJ demands list of FBI agents involved in Capitol riot cases.
• DOJ leadership shift: Prosecutors handling Trump-related cases fired or forced out.
• Bondi’s stance: Repeated Trump’s claims that DOJ had been “weaponized for years.”
• Matt Gaetz passed over: Bondi was Trump’s second choice after Gaetz failed to gain GOP support.
• Smith drops Trump cases: Special counsel cites DOJ policy in dropping classified documents and election cases.

Deep Look

The U.S. Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the next U.S. attorney general on Tuesday evening, solidifying the role of a fiercely loyal Trump ally at the helm of the Justice Department.

The vote, which fell largely along party lines, was 54-46, with only one Democrat—Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania—joining Republicans in support of Bondi’s confirmation.

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and corporate lobbyist, steps into the role amid ongoing turmoil at the DOJ, following the firing of FBI officials and special prosecutors involved in Trump-related cases.

With Trump making no secret of his desire to reshape the department, Bondi’s leadership is expected to bring radical changes to how the DOJ operates.

DOJ Under Fire: FBI Agents and Prosecutors Targeted for Removal

The Justice Department has already seen major upheaval, with Bondi now overseeing a mass purge of officials tied to investigations into Trump.

Just hours before Bondi’s confirmation, FBI agents sued the DOJ, alleging retaliation against employees involved in the Jan. 6 prosecutions.

The lawsuit follows a directive from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump defense attorney, who ordered:

• A list of all FBI employees who worked on Jan. 6-related cases.
• A review process to determine whether additional personnel actions are necessary.

This move has alarmed current and former officials, who fear it could lead to widespread firings of agents who investigated the Capitol riot and Trump’s role in the attack.

DOJ leadership has already:

• Fired top FBI executives involved in investigations of Trump.
• Removed prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smith’s team.
• Dismissed a group of prosecutors in the D.C. U.S. attorney’s office assisting in the Jan. 6 probe.

Bondi has insisted that she will not use the DOJ for political purposes, but her previous statements suggest otherwise.

During her confirmation hearing, she echoed Trump’s longstanding grievances against the Justice Department, stating:

“They targeted Donald Trump… They have launched countless investigations against him.”

Her nomination was widely seen as a test of Trump’s influence over the DOJ—a department he has repeatedly accused of being “weaponized” against him.

Bondi’s Close Ties to Trump Raise Fears of Political Retaliation

Democrats, civil rights groups, and former DOJ officials have raised concerns that Bondi’s appointment could erode the Justice Department’s independence.

While Bondi assured lawmakers that she would act impartially, she also refused to rule out investigating Trump’s adversaries.

“If I am attorney general, I will not politicize that office.”

However, her history as a vocal Trump defender has led to speculation that she may launch politically motivated investigations against Trump’s critics.

In a 2023 Fox News interview, Bondi stated:

“The investigators will be investigated.”

This statement, now seen in a new light, has stoked fears that the DOJ may turn against those who prosecuted Trump in past cases.

Trump’s Initial Pick for Attorney General—Matt Gaetz—Failed to Gain GOP Support

Bondi’s confirmation follows Trump’s failed attempt to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida congressman and staunch ally.

Gaetz, known for his far-right rhetoric and legal controversies, lacked enough Republican support in the Senate, forcing Trump to pivot to Bondi—a more seasoned legal figure with deep connections to the Trump world.

Unlike Gaetz, Bondi had previously served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and was viewed as a safer choice for Senate Republicans.

Jack Smith Drops Trump Cases, Citing DOJ Policy

Just before Bondi’s confirmation, special counsel Jack Smith announced the dismissal of two high-profile cases against Trump:

1. The election interference case related to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
2. The classified documents case, which accused Trump of illegally hoarding national security records at Mar-a-Lago.

Smith cited Justice Department policy, which prohibits prosecuting a sitting president, as the reason for dropping the charges.

However, critics argue that the decision sets a dangerous precedent, potentially shielding Trump from legal consequences while in office.

With Bondi now in charge, there is little expectation that these cases will be revisited.

What Happens Next?

Pam Bondi’s tenure as attorney general is expected to fundamentally reshape the DOJ, with key questions remaining:

• Will there be mass firings of FBI agents involved in the Jan. 6 investigations?
• Will Bondi launch investigations into Trump’s political opponents?
• How will she handle ongoing cases involving Trump allies and former administration officials?

As Bondi assumes control, the Justice Department’s future remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: Trump’s influence over the DOJ has never been stronger.

More on US News