Pam Bondi has been sworn in as U.S. attorney general after the Senate confirmed her in a 54-46 vote. A longtime ally of President Donald Trump, Bondi now takes charge of the Department of Justice with a commitment to ending what many conservatives see as years of politically motivated prosecutions under the Biden administration.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to support Bondi’s confirmation. He has previously spoken out against the legal cases targeting Trump, calling them politically motivated. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi promised that she would ensure “justice will be administered evenhandedly throughout this country” and that partisan influence would not be tolerated.
One of Bondi’s top priorities is expected to be a full review of the DOJ’s handling of January 6 cases. The department has already gathered records on more than 5,000 FBI employees involved in those investigations. While Trump officials have stated that there are no plans for widespread firings, concerns remain within the agency about potential removals.
Bondi will also oversee the review of Trump-related cases prosecuted under former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned before Trump returned to office, and two cases against the president were dropped due to a DOJ precedent barring prosecution of a sitting president. Bondi has previously indicated that those who pursued these cases could face investigations of their own.
Additionally, Bondi is expected to reverse multiple DOJ policies implemented during the Biden administration. Among the changes, she is set to rescind a 2023 FBI memo that critics say unfairly targeted traditional Catholics, as well as a 2021 directive concerning alleged threats at school board meetings. The DOJ will also conduct a broader review of its actions over the last four years.
Bondi will also be responsible for defending Trump’s executive orders in court. Federal judges have already blocked some of the administration’s policies, including an order freezing federal aid programs and another attempting to end birthright citizenship. With Bondi in charge, the DOJ is set for a major shift in direction.
