The U.S. Senate voted 54-46 on Tuesday to confirm Pam Bondi as the next attorney general, solidifying her role as the nation’s top law enforcement official.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, faced staunch opposition from Senate Democrats, with Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., as the lone Democrat to vote in her favor.
A Loyal Trump Ally Takes the Helm at DOJ
Currently a partner at Ballard Partners, where she chairs the corporate regulatory compliance practice, Bondi has an extensive political and legal background. She previously served as an assistant state attorney in Florida and played key roles in Trump’s campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024. She was also a board member of Trump’s Make America Great Again PAC and a defender in his first impeachment trial.
Her confirmation signals a major shift in leadership at the Department of Justice (DOJ), with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., praising her as a tough prosecutor dedicated to law enforcement.
Concerns Over DOJ Independence
During her January confirmation hearing, Senate Democrats questioned Bondi’s ability to lead the DOJ independently, citing her close ties to Trump.
