Pam Bondi: Attorney General Candidate Driven by Loyalty to Trump

Meanwhile, Democratic senators questioned whether Bondi would say no to the president-elect.

“The concern is that the weaponization of the justice department could happen during your tenure,” Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse told Bondi. “We want to make sure that’s not the case, that you stay independent.”

They also directed some of their inquiries to FBI director nominee Kash Patel, who, if confirmed, would report to Bondi.

The FBI candidate said he has an “enemies list” of people he would go after if confirmed. Several senators asked Bondi about the comments, but he said he had not heard them and that the justice department would not have such a list.

Bondi also told the committee he would consider potential pardons of the Capitol rioters “on a case-by-case basis,” but added that he condemned “any violence against a law enforcement officer in this country.”

The Attorney General serves as the head of the Department of Justice, which enforces federal laws. If confirmed in the role, Bondi will provide legal advice and opinions to the president and executive department heads.

A vote on his confirmation has not yet been scheduled, but is expected in the coming days.

On Wednesday, senators also questioned Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed by Trump as secretary of state.

He warned that Washington must change course to avoid becoming more dependent on China and promised to revise US foreign policy to focus on American interests.