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The United States Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the attorney general on Tuesday (February 4) with a vote of 54-46. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, becomes the first woman nominated by a Republican president to hold this position. The confirmation process saw Bondi gaining support from the Republican-led Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which advanced her nomination to the full Senate floor vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed confidence in Bondi's ability to restore faith in the Justice Department, stating that she promised to focus on prosecuting crime and protecting Americans. However, her confirmation was not without controversy. Some Democrats raised concerns about her responses during the confirmation hearing, particularly regarding the 2020 election results.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse voiced apprehension over Bondi's indirect answers to questions about the election, which he believed indicated potential bias towards President Donald Trump. Despite these concerns, Bondi's confirmation marks a significant milestone as she steps into her role at the U.S. Justice Department.
The confirmation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department's actions under President Trump, including the dropping of cases against Trump and his associates following his election victory. Bondi's role will be closely watched as she navigates these challenges and seeks to uphold the department's integrity.