Pam Bondi promises impartial justice as Trump's attorney general

In a tense hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Pam Bondi , President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to serve as attorney general , made it clear that if confirmed, her priority will be to " restore the trust and integrity " of the Department of Justice (DOJ). She promised there would be no enemies lists , a direct reference to conservative groups seeking legal retribution against those who investigated the former president.

Bondi, the former Florida attorney general and a staunch Trump ally for years, faced tough questions about her independence, her lobbying activities, and her role during Trump's first impeachment trial. While she avoided clear answers on key issues, she insisted she would ensure "a fair and equal justice system."

At the heart of the Senate questioning was the expectation, within certain Republican circles, that the Justice Department would pursue prosecutors, judges, or politicians who have criticized or investigated Trump. The most notable case is that of Kash Patel , the proposed FBI director, who has openly spoken of having an "enemies list."

Although Bondi defended Patel's nomination , he rejected that vision of vengeful justice:

“There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice,” he declared bluntly.

Despite this, he admitted in previous interviews that some prosecutors who investigated Trump should be investigated, which calls into question his true stance of neutrality.

During the hearing, Pam Bondi avoided answering specific questions about:

• If you believe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
• If you would investigate Jack Smith, Merrick Garland or Liz Cheney
• Your position on TikTok , Medicare , or the Affordable Care Act

He alluded to ongoing legal proceedings or his commitment to "abiding by the law" without providing concrete answers. This strategy was perceived by several Democratic senators as a way of evading key issues that would measure his impartiality and commitment to the rule of law.

After concluding her term as Florida Attorney General in 2019, Bondi joined Ballard Partners , where she served as a registered lobbyist for a variety of interests, including:

• Foreign governments: Dominican Republic , Qatar , Zimbabwe , Kosovo
• Private companies: Amazon , Uber , Carnival North America , MLB , Bankers Financial

During the hearing, he stated that he would consult with the DOJ's ethics office about potential recusals in cases involving former clients, although he did not specify what specific mechanisms he would use.

Bondi has been a fixture in Trump's inner circle , publicly defending many of his most controversial positions, including his narrative of voter fraud in 2020. While she claimed at the hearing to accept that Biden is the president , she continued to sow doubt by claiming to have "seen a lot of things" in Pennsylvania during the vote count, without offering evidence.

He also made it clear that he believes the DOJ has been used for political purposes and that his role would be to correct that perception.

“Under my watch, the use of the DOJ as a partisan weapon will end,” he asserted.

If confirmed, Bondi would have enormous responsibilities , including:

• Oversee the investigation of corporations and officials
• Defending government policies in federal courts
• Coordinate the distribution of billions of dollars in grants
• Enforce Supreme Court decisions, such as the potential ban on TikTok

Despite the tensions during the hearing, Pam Bondi remained steady and calm , offering answers that sought to calm her critics without betraying her loyalty to Trump.

Pam Bondi's appointment reads as a reaffirmation of Trumpism in its most disciplined and legalistic form. Her possible arrival at the Department of Justice will be key to defining the direction of the judiciary under the new Republican administration.

Although she promises impartiality, equity, and justice without partisan overtones , her record—as a lawyer, lobbyist, and staunch defender of the former president—raises legitimate doubts about the separation between justice and politics in this new phase.