Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, said during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday that she would not use the U.S. Department of Justice to target people based on their political views.
“There will never be an enemy list within the Department of Justice,” she told senators when she was repeatedly asked to remain loyal to Trump. “I will not politicize this office.”
But Bundy, who would become the nation’s top law enforcement official if the Senate votes to confirm him, has not directly ruled out investigating those who have run afoul of the president-elect.
Asked whether she would investigate Jack Smith, who is leading two criminal cases against Trump, she said: “It would be irresponsible for me to commit to anything.”
Trump repeatedly threatened during the campaign to investigate and possibly prosecute his political opponents.
Bondi, who is likely to be confirmed as the 87th U.S. Attorney General given the Republican majority in the House, stressed throughout her hearing that she would remain independent.
But she echoed Trump’s view that his federal prosecution was a witch hunt and said the department has been “weaponized for years.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said the department has been “influenced by political decisions” and said it has been “weaponized” under the Biden administration, particularly against Trump. .
Other Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee repeated those descriptions, and Bondi agreed with their assessment.
Meanwhile, questions from Democratic senators focused on whether Bondi would say no to the president-elect.
“The concern is that the judiciary will likely be weaponized during your tenure,” Democratic Sheldon Whitehouse told Bondi. “We want to make sure that’s not the case and that you remain independent.”
Part of their inquiry also focused on FBI director nominee Kash Patel, who would report to Bundy if confirmed.
The FBI nominee said he has an “enemy list” of people he would pursue if confirmed. Multiple senators asked Bondi about the comments, but she said she had not heard them and that the Justice Department would not have such a list.
Bundy also told the committee she would consider whether to pardon the Capitol rioters “on a case-by-case basis,” but added that she condemned “any violence against law enforcement officers in this country.”
The Attorney General serves as the head of the Department of Justice and is responsible for enforcing federal laws. If confirmed, Bondi will provide legal advice and opinions to the president and executive branch heads.
Her confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place in the coming days.
On Wednesday, senators also asked Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as Trump’s secretary of state.
He warned that Washington must change course to avoid becoming more dependent on China and pledged to overhaul U.S. foreign policy to focus on U.S. interests.