Five key points from Pam Bondi’s strained, partisan Senate session

Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee was anticipated to be a divisive, partisan event. It certainly met those expectations.

The attorney general made her initial appearance at a congressional oversight session – and it was perfectly timed.

A fortnight ago, her justice department charged former FBI Director James Comey, igniting a backlash from Democratic leaders.

Her testimony on that Tuesday also followed a day after a group of ex-justice department staff issued a letter accusing Bondi of aiding in undermining “longstanding efforts the department has undertaken to safeguard communities and uphold the law”.

Emotions were high, and Bondi was clearly primed for confrontation. Here are five key points from the hearing.

Recent Trump administration figures, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and FBI Director Kash Patel, have adhered to a straightforward approach for testimony before unfriendly congressional panels.

Launch a strong offensive early and frequently.

This tactic was evident throughout Bondi’s testimony. When asked about National Guard deployments, she expressed a hope that Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and California Senator Alex Padilla cherished their states “as much as they detest Donald Trump”.

When queried regarding Jeffrey Epstein, she remarked that several Democratic senators had accepted contributions from wealthy benefactors with connections to the late convicted sex offender.

Bondi initiated a flurry of incisive challenges to senators during their inquiries.

And when junior Vermont Senator Peter Welch’s turn for questions arrived, he began by noting Bondi’s tendency for personal assaults.

“I’ll be awaiting my chance,” the soft-spoken New Englander remarked. “But you needn’t do it at this moment”.

When Bondi wasn’t on the offensive, she often refrained from addressing questions posed by both Democrats and Republicans.

She stated she wouldn’t address “personnel matters” when interrogated about the recent spate of high-level justice department dismissals, including top FBI officials and a U.S. attorney who had advised against the Comey indictment.

She avoided commenting on “active investigations” and legal actions – encompassing the Comey situation. She also declined to clarify discussions she’s had with the president or other White House staff.

When shown a large image of her seated at a table with the president the day after Trump had made a Truth Social post urging her to indict Comey, her only comment was that she adored the picture.

“This is meant to be an oversight hearing where congressional members can receive real answers to serious inquiries,” California Senator Adam Schiff remarked, following a list of queries that Bondi had sidestepped.

“I think you owe the president an apology for your entire career,” Bondi retorted.

Bondi seemed resolute in highlighting what she claimed was the Trump administration’s objective of diminishing crime across the U.S.

She was quick to reference statistics that she asserted illustrated their achievements thus far – the count of arrests in Washington DC, the drug enforcement actions and illegal firearms seizures in Chicago, the drug confiscations at the border.

“We are reverting to our core mission of combating real crime,” Bondi asserted.

Democrats might have had alternative priorities, but Bondi – and the White House – probably believe they are on the most secure political terrain when discussing crime-fighting.

It is a topic that, according to polls, resonates with numerous Americans – and one that has the capacity to appeal not only to staunch conservative partisans but also to independent and Democratic voters.

A significant source of pressure for Bondi over the past few months has revolved around the justice department’s management of its Epstein investigation, who prior to his death had well-documented associations with many affluent and influential Americans.

Throughout most of the hearing, it was Democrats who inundated Bondi with Epstein-related inquiries.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse sought to ascertain if the FBI had uncovered images of Trump and “partially clothed young women”, and whether the justice department had investigated “suspicious activity reports” concerning Epstein’s finances.

Bondi would not reply.

Dick Durbin inquired about claims that the justice department had alerted anything in its Epstein files related to Trump to the president.

“I’m not going to discuss anything regarding that with you, senator,” Bondi responded.

The attorney general was questioned about why her department now claims there is no record of Epstein’s clients after she previously stated having that information on her desk.

Bondi replied by referencing the department’s earlier conclusion that there was no proof of conspiracy or cover-up associated with the investigation.

The queries surrounding the Epstein investigation have become an unusual point of bipartisan interest, with some Republicans collaborating with Democrats in calling for enhanced transparency. Eventually, this Senate hearing managed to hint at that.

Republican Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana recounted recent statements from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asserting that Epstein was “the greatest blackmailer ever”.

The Louisiana senator proposed that Lutnick, who possessed a residence near Epstein in Palm Beach Florida, should provide testimony before Congress and discuss the matter with the FBI.

Bondi continued her evasiveness regarding Epstein, asserting it was up to Lutnick and FBI Director Kash Patel to determine if a meeting was warranted.

While Democrats concentrated on what they perceive as the unprecedent politicization of the justice department under Trump, most of the Republican senators seemed more focused on revisiting grievances from the Biden administration – or earlier.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley devoted much of the hearings to interjecting on how he believes Democrats have impeded investigations into the Biden family’s financial activities.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the FBI’s Russian investigation following the 2016 presidential election. Ted Cruz from Texas highlighted protests outside the residences of conservative Supreme Court justices in the aftermath of their 2021 ruling that overturned abortion rights.

Eric Schmidt from Missouri enumerated a comprehensive list of right-wing grievances aimed at the justice department.

Bondi, for her part, completely concurred with the Republican sentiment.

As the five-hour hearing finally wrapped up, the event had the atmosphere of a partisan hall of mirrors, with each side accusing the other of political manipulation and biased prosecutions.

“The Department of Justice is meant to be the nation’s steward of equity and the rule of law,” Senator Alex Padilla stated during his questioning. “When public trust erodes, then justice itself stands to lose.”

It’s a sentiment that members from both parties on the committee could support – before blaming the opposing side as the cause of the nation’s problems.