Pam Bondi was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday as the new U.S. Attorney General in President Donald Trump’s second-term administration. The 54-46 vote saw all Republicans supporting Bondi’s nomination, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) being the only Democrat to break ranks and vote in favor.
“With Pam Bondi leading the Department of Justice, Americans can be certain the rule of law will be enforced,” the Senate Judiciary Republicans stated in a post on X. Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General, is known for her tough-on-crime stance and played a key role in Trump’s first impeachment defense.
Trump originally nominated former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for the position, but after Gaetz withdrew, Bondi emerged as the administration’s choice to lead the DOJ. The president emphasized Bondi’s experience in prosecuting violent criminals and cracking down on drug trafficking, framing her leadership as a return to law and order. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again,” Trump said.
Bondi’s confirmation follows a contentious battle in the Senate, where Democrats raised concerns about her ties to Trump and questioned whether she would use the DOJ to serve his political interests. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) dismissed these criticisms, stating that Bondi was “highly qualified” and had a strong record of legal leadership. “She is ready and able to serve our country well, and I know she’ll work with President Trump to restore faith in the Justice Department,” Grassley said.
During her confirmation hearing, Bondi promised to restore integrity to the DOJ, rejecting claims that she would use the position for political purposes. “I will fight every day to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice and each of its components,” she testified. “The partisanship, the weaponization, will be gone.”
Her hearing also included a heated exchange with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a longtime Trump critic. When Schiff attempted to press her on ongoing investigations, Bondi pushed back. “I will never play politics,” she told Schiff. “You’re trying to engage me in a ‘gotcha.’ I won’t play politics with any ongoing investigation like you did.”
Despite Democrats delaying the process with a one-week hold, Bondi’s nomination advanced out of committee with a 12-10 vote along party lines. The Senate broke the filibuster on Monday, paving the way for her confirmation the following day.
Bondi joins several Trump Cabinet nominees who have secured Senate confirmation, including Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs secretary. Other nominees, such as Kash Patel for FBI Director and Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget, are still awaiting final approval. Tulsi Gabbard, nominated to be Director of National Intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services, both cleared committee votes on Tuesday.
