Pam Bondi has officially taken the helm at the Department of Justice after securing Senate confirmation in a 54-46 vote. Bondi, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, now has the power to root out what critics have called the Biden administration’s political weaponization of federal law enforcement.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to back Bondi, standing by his previous statements that the legal cases against Trump were driven by politics rather than justice. Bondi has vowed to restore integrity to the DOJ, stating during her confirmation hearing that “partisan politics will not play a part” in her leadership.
On her first day in office, Bondi is expected to issue memos reversing key policies enacted under the Biden administration. According to sources familiar with her plans, she will rescind a controversial 2023 FBI memo that appeared to target traditional Catholics, as well as a 2021 directive from then-Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding parental involvement in school board meetings.
Another immediate priority for Bondi will be reviewing the more than 1,500 criminal cases tied to the January 6 protests. The DOJ has already begun collecting records on personnel involved in those investigations, a move that has left some FBI agents concerned about potential terminations. While the Trump administration has stated there are no mass firings planned, FBI officials have turned over details of more than 5,000 employees involved in those cases.
Bondi is also expected to evaluate federal investigations related to Trump, including cases previously overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned before Trump returned to office, and two of his cases against Trump were dismissed under DOJ precedent barring prosecution of a sitting president. Bondi has previously suggested that DOJ prosecutors involved in Trump-related cases could face investigations of their own.
Beyond personnel changes, Bondi will oversee legal battles surrounding new Trump policies, including his executive order freezing federal aid programs and his move to end birthright citizenship. Early legal challenges have resulted in temporary blocks by federal judges, meaning Bondi will have to navigate an uphill battle to defend the administration’s agenda.
Bondi’s confirmation marks a turning point for the DOJ, which many conservatives believe was used under Biden to target political opponents. With her at the helm, Trump’s efforts to dismantle the deep state and reestablish equal justice under the law are expected to take center stage.
