Pam Bondi has officially taken office as U.S. attorney general after securing Senate confirmation in a 54-46 vote. A longtime Trump ally, Bondi is expected to take immediate steps to reverse several Biden-era policies within the Department of Justice.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote in favor of Bondi’s confirmation. He has previously stated that he believes the legal cases against Trump were politically driven. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi vowed to eliminate political bias from the DOJ, saying, “Under my watch, the partisanship, the weaponization, will be gone.”
One of Bondi’s first moves will be a full review of how the DOJ handled cases tied to the January 6 protests. Records on more than 5,000 FBI employees involved in those cases have already been turned over to DOJ leadership. While the administration insists that there are no immediate plans for large-scale terminations, uncertainty remains among some within the agency.
Bondi will also oversee the review of Trump-related investigations led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned before Trump was sworn in, 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 who pursued the cases could now be investigated themselves.
Additionally, Bondi is expected to roll back several policies from the previous administration. These include rescinding a 2023 FBI memo that critics say unfairly targeted traditional Catholics and reversing a 2021 DOJ directive concerning threats against school board members. Trump has also ordered a full review of DOJ actions from the last four years.
Bondi’s leadership comes as the DOJ prepares to defend several of Trump’s executive orders in court. Federal judges have already blocked two of his policies, including one that freezes federal aid and another that seeks to end birthright citizenship. Bondi’s role in leading these legal battles will be closely watched.
