Sen. Dick Durbin Raises Concerns Over Pam Bondi’s Independence Ahead of Attorney General Confirmation Hearings

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) expressed reservations after meeting with Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, as she prepares for her confirmation hearings next week. Bondi, a loyal Trump ally, is currently meeting with senators to build support ahead of her two-day Judiciary Committee hearings scheduled for Jan. 15 and 16. Following their meeting, Durbin posted on X, “I just met with Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s attorney general pick.

Given her responses to my questions, I remain concerned about her ability to serve as an Attorney General who will put her oath to the Constitution ahead of her fealty to Donald Trump.” Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and as Trump’s personal lawyer during his first impeachment trial, was nominated after Trump’s initial choice, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), withdrew due to ethics concerns.

Durbin later issued a detailed statement through the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticizing Bondi’s record. He called her a “leader in the effort to overturn the 2020 election” and noted her support for prosecuting Trump’s political opponents. “In addition, Ms. Bondi has a long track record of opposing fundamental civil rights, including reproductive rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ rights,” Durbin wrote.

Despite his concerns, Durbin said he hopes the hearings will shed light on Bondi’s vision for the Department of Justice. “The American people deserve an Attorney General who will protect their fundamental rights, demonstrate independence and integrity, and remain faithful to the Constitution, the country, and the rule of law above all,” he stated.

Trump, in his announcement of Bondi’s nomination, framed her appointment as a move to address what he calls partisan bias within the Department of Justice. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans—Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Trump posted on social media.

Bondi has also garnered support from a bipartisan group of 110 former senior Justice Department officials, who wrote a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsing her confirmation. According to Fox News Digital, the letter highlighted Bondi’s “commitment to the rule of law and her track record as Florida’s former attorney general that they said makes her uniquely qualified for the role.”

As her confirmation hearings approach, Bondi faces scrutiny over her independence and alignment with Trump’s agenda, with critics questioning whether she can uphold the Justice Department’s mission.