Pam Bondi has officially been confirmed as U.S. attorney general after a 54-46 Senate vote. As a close ally of President Donald Trump, Bondi is expected to make sweeping changes at the Department of Justice, reversing what many Republicans see as the agency’s politicization under the Biden administration.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote for Bondi’s confirmation, standing by his past statements that Trump was unfairly targeted by politically motivated prosecutions. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi pledged to remove partisanship from the DOJ, vowing that “justice will be administered evenhandedly throughout this country.”
One of Bondi’s first major tasks will be overseeing a review of how the DOJ handled cases related to the January 6 protests. DOJ officials have gathered records on thousands of FBI employees involved in those investigations, sparking concerns among agents about possible firings. While Trump officials have said there are no immediate plans for mass removals, uncertainty remains.
Bondi will also play a key role in reviewing federal cases brought against Trump by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith stepped down before Trump was sworn back into office, and two cases against the president were thrown out due to DOJ precedent barring prosecution of a sitting president. Bondi has indicated that those who pursued the cases could now be investigated themselves.
Additionally, Bondi is expected to rescind multiple policies enacted under the Biden administration, including a 2023 FBI memo that critics say unfairly targeted traditional Catholics and a 2021 memo about threats against school board members. These reversals align with Trump’s executive order demanding a full review of the DOJ’s actions over the last four years.
Bondi will also be at the forefront of defending Trump’s policies in court. Some of the administration’s executive orders, such as one blocking federal aid programs and another attempting to end birthright citizenship, have already faced legal challenges. With Bondi at the helm, the Justice Department is set to undergo a major transformation under Trump’s leadership.
