Schiff Questions Bondi During Hearing

Pam Bondi just walked into the lion’s den—and walked out without a scratch. Day One of her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Attorney General was a masterclass in keeping your composure, no matter how much mud the other side tries to sling.

While Republicans used their time to highlight the critical importance of depoliticizing the Department of Justice, Democrats were laser-focused on trying to turn Bondi’s confirmation into a referendum on Donald Trump and the 2020 election. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.

Let’s get one thing out of the way—the Democrats weren’t interested in Pam Bondi’s qualifications. Oh, no. They were there to score political points by proxy. From demanding that she disavow Trump’s comments to asking her to play referee on the 2020 election, the Left’s strategy was less about vetting Bondi and more about turning the hearing into a gotcha game.

Of course, Bondi didn’t take the bait. She repeatedly acknowledged that Joe Biden is the current president, which you’d think would be enough. But nope—Democrats like Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) wanted her to do a full song and dance on their terms. It didn’t happen.

Instead, Bondi did what she came to do: focus on her vision for restoring the DOJ to its core mission. In her opening statement, she made it clear she intends to leave behind the politically charged, weaponized Justice Department we’ve seen over the last several years.

She promised a return to even-handed justice, and she didn’t flinch when Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) pressed her on the dangers of targeting political enemies. Her response? Dead-on: “That will not be the case if I am attorney general. I will not politicize that office.” That’s exactly the kind of accountability Republicans—and plenty of Americans—have been hoping for.

And then there were the fireworks. Bondi stood firm under aggressive questioning from Durbin about January 6 defendants, emphasizing that she condemns any violence against law enforcement officers. She also sparred with Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who tried to imply she had some hidden agenda.

But the most dramatic moments came courtesy of Padilla and Adam Schiff (D-CA), both of whom went into full attack mode. Padilla refused to let Bondi answer his questions, and Schiff, well, Schiff just couldn’t resist grandstanding. But Bondi wasn’t having it. She coolly reminded Schiff that he’s been censured for his own questionable behavior. Ouch.

Meanwhile, Republicans used their time wisely. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked Bondi whether she supports designating certain Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations (spoiler: she does), and Rick Scott (R-FL) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) underscored her qualifications and commitment to fixing the DOJ. Even Sheldon Whitehouse managed to get a straight, professional response from Bondi during a civil discussion about prosecutorial ethics.

Interestingly, a few Democrats—yes, Democrats—seemed to soften their stance by the end of the day. Senators like Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) didn’t go nearly as hard as their colleagues, and there’s chatter that they may ultimately vote to confirm Bondi. By the second round of questioning, even Padilla and Schiff had dialed it down, possibly realizing that their tactics were falling flat.

Bondi’s performance on Day One all but solidifies her path to confirmation. She didn’t just hold her own—she showed why she’s the right person for the job. Her promise to focus on the rule of law, not political games, is exactly what the Justice Department needs. And while the Democrats may have done their best to derail her, Bondi walked out stronger than she walked in. With bipartisan support looking likely, it’s only a matter of time before she’s sworn in as the next Attorney General.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here