During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Democrats challenged her management of the Justice Department, while she responded firmly with backing from Republicans.
Published On 8 Oct 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense scrutiny during a Senate Judiciary Committee session, where Democrats accused her of politicizing the Department of Justice (DOJ). In contrast, Republicans praised her commitment to refocusing the department on its fundamental law enforcement responsibilities.
This hearing marked Bondi’s first appearance before the GOP-led committee since the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. She defended her tenure by emphasizing her mission to halt the “weaponization of justice” and to prioritize combating violent crime nationwide.
Bondi highlighted renewed federal efforts in cities such as Washington, DC, and Memphis, Tennessee, as evidence of the DOJ’s renewed focus on tackling serious criminal activity. She also justified the deployment of National Guard units to urban centers like Chicago and Portland, attributing these actions to local authorities’ failure to maintain public safety. Additionally, she blamed the ongoing government shutdown, accusing Democrats of weakening law enforcement’s operational readiness.
A pivotal moment arose when Bondi defended the prosecution of James Comey, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. Comey faces charges including making false statements and obstructing Congress related to his 2020 testimony, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday. Democrats questioned whether the indictment was the result of impartial prosecutorial discretion or political influence. Bondi refrained from discussing private communications with the White House, labeling them “personnel matters.”
The handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case also sparked contention. Bondi declined to clarify her reversal on releasing related documents, instead accusing Democratic senators of accepting campaign contributions from an associate of the late convicted sex offender.
Democrats further pressed Bondi on allegations involving Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, who reportedly received $50,000 in cash from undercover agents before the current administration took office. Bondi stated that the decision to end the investigation predated her leadership and did not confirm whether the funds had been recovered.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s leading Democrat, repeatedly charged Bondi with transforming the DOJ into a political tool to shield the president and his allies from accountability. He asserted that her tenure has left a lasting negative impact on the department’s reputation and effectiveness.
“The damage inflicted will take generations to repair,” Durbin warned.
Under Bondi’s direction, significant turnover has occurred in key DOJ divisions, including civil rights, with many career prosecutors involved in investigations related to Trump or the January 6 Capitol attack being reassigned or dismissed.
Just before the hearing, nearly 300 former DOJ employees issued a letter expressing concern that the current administration is dismantling longstanding institutional practices and urged a restoration of traditional norms.
Republican committee members largely supported Bondi’s approach, arguing that the DOJ under the previous Biden administration- which pursued two criminal cases against Trump-was the true example of politicization. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley praised Bondi for realigning the department’s priorities and emphasized the need for a fresh direction in law enforcement.
