Pam Bondi has been sworn in as U.S. attorney general following a 54-46 vote in the Senate. Bondi, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, is expected to take immediate action to investigate and undo key decisions made by the Biden administration’s Justice Department.
The confirmation saw Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania breaking from his party to vote in favor of Bondi. Fetterman has previously stated that he believes the legal cases against Trump were politically driven. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi promised to eliminate political influence from the DOJ, saying that “partisan politics will not play a part” in the department’s operations.
Among Bondi’s first priorities will be reviewing how the DOJ handled investigations related to the January 6 protests. More than 5,000 FBI employees who worked on those cases have had their records turned over to DOJ officials. While a source close to the Trump administration has said there are no plans for mass terminations, concerns remain among some within the agency.
Bondi will also oversee legal reviews of the cases brought against Trump by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned before Trump returned to office, and two cases against the president were dropped due to DOJ rules preventing the prosecution of a sitting president. Bondi has previously suggested that those involved in those investigations could face scrutiny themselves.
In addition, Bondi is expected to reverse multiple DOJ policies from the Biden administration. This includes rescinding a 2023 FBI memo that many saw as targeting traditional Catholics, as well as a 2021 memo regarding alleged threats against school board members. Trump’s executive order calling for an extensive review of the DOJ’s actions over the past four years will also be a major focus.
As Bondi takes charge, she will also lead the department’s legal battles over new Trump policies. Federal judges have already issued temporary blocks on executive orders freezing federal aid and ending birthright citizenship. With Bondi now in control of the DOJ, the administration’s efforts to push back against what it sees as political bias in law enforcement will move forward.
