The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as Attorney General in a 54-46 vote on Tuesday night, with most of the vote split along party lines. However, Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania broke ranks, voting in favor of Bondi despite not considering her his “ideal” pick. Fetterman explained his decision by citing Bondi’s qualifications, noting that even former Attorney General Merrick Garland wasn’t anyone’s top choice.
Bondi, a skilled litigator, became President Trump’s second nominee for the role after his first pick, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew due to insufficient support from Senate Republicans.
Pam Bondi’s nomination as Attorney General passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 12-10 vote last week. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi criticized the “weaponization” of the Justice Department under President Joe Biden and assured lawmakers she wouldn’t misuse criminal investigations, like those targeting Donald Trump. She also acknowledged Trump’s loss in the 2020 election but falsely claimed there was a “peaceful transition of power,” overlooking the January 6 Capitol attack that disrupted the certification of the election.
Bondi is well-known for her legal work in support of conservative causes, having prosecuted major cases over her decade-long tenure as a state attorney. She became Florida’s first female Attorney General in 2011, earning a reputation as a skilled and media-savvy litigator. While she focused on contentious issues, Bondi gained attention for her increasingly partisan political stance during her two terms.
In the 2016 election, Bondi was a key Florida surrogate for Trump and has remained a strong supporter. She joined Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment, making baseless accusations about Joe Biden’s involvement in corrupt business dealings with his son Hunter. After leaving the Florida Attorney General’s office in 2019, Bondi worked at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with strong connections to Trump and his chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
