Pam Bondi Takes Over Justice Department After Senate Confirmation

Pam Bondi has officially assumed her role as U.S. attorney general following a 54-46 confirmation vote in the Senate. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and strong supporter of President Donald Trump, is expected to take immediate steps to roll back policies from the Biden administration’s Justice Department.

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote for Bondi’s confirmation, citing concerns over what he has called the politically motivated prosecution of Trump. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi promised that she would not allow political bias to influence her leadership, stating that “justice will be administered evenhandedly throughout this country.”

One of Bondi’s first actions is expected to involve a thorough review of the DOJ’s handling of cases related to the January 6 protests. The department has already compiled records on thousands of FBI employees who were involved in those investigations. While officials insist there are no plans for mass firings, some agents have expressed concerns about potential removals.

Bondi will also oversee the review of Trump-related investigations that were led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned before Trump returned to the White House, and two cases against the president were dismissed under a long-standing DOJ precedent that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president. Bondi has previously suggested that prosecutors involved in those cases could face their own investigations.

As part of her efforts to reshape the DOJ, Bondi is expected to rescind multiple Biden-era policies, including a controversial 2023 FBI memo that critics say unfairly targeted traditional Catholics and a 2021 directive concerning threats against school board members. Additionally, she will lead an effort to examine DOJ actions from the past four years as part of Trump’s broader goal to end what he has described as government weaponization.

Bondi will also be responsible for defending Trump’s policies in court. Several of the administration’s executive orders, including one to freeze federal aid and another ending birthright citizenship, have already been temporarily blocked by federal judges. With Bondi now in charge, the DOJ is set to undergo significant changes under Trump’s leadership.