Bondi strongly criticized the “weaponization” of the Biden Justice Department, vowing not to unjustly target individuals with criminal investigations based on their political affiliations, such as those conducted against Trump. She emphasized her commitment to maintaining the independence of the attorney general’s office and adhering to policies that restrict interactions between the White House and the Justice Department to uphold its impartiality.
When questioned about potentially investigating individuals recommended for prosecution by Trump, including special counsel Jack Smith and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, Bondi emphasized that no one would be prejudged under her leadership. She declined to engage in hypothetical scenarios and stressed the importance of impartiality.
During her confirmation hearing, Bondi faced scrutiny from Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono regarding her past comments about holding “bad” prosecutors criminally accountable. Bondi maintained that she would not prejudge anyone and emphasized her commitment to fair and unbiased decision-making if confirmed.
In a separate exchange with Senator Adam Schiff, Bondi was questioned about the impact of her political beliefs on decisions related to January 6 pardons and the preservation of special counsel investigation evidence. Bondi underscored her responsibility not to commit to any actions without proper consideration of the facts and evidence, emphasizing the need for thorough review before taking any steps.
Bondi acknowledged President Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, although she raised doubts about the election results, referencing her involvement in legal efforts for the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania. She accepted the election outcome but highlighted her personal observations during that time.
When asked about potential pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 events, Bondi did not commit to a specific stance, emphasizing the need for a careful and thorough evaluation of each case.
Bondi stated that she would recommend pardons as necessary in her role, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rests with the president. When asked about potential concerns regarding the FBI director nominee’s stance on prosecuting the president’s adversaries, Bondi defended his qualifications and suggested directing inquiries to him directly. She made it clear that there would be no enemies list within the Department of Justice.
Senator Rubio, nominated for Secretary of State, received praise from Democratic Senator Shaheen for being well-qualified for the role. During his confirmation hearing, Rubio expressed support for NATO and highlighted his co-sponsorship of a bipartisan law requiring Senate approval for any US withdrawal from the alliance. He emphasized the need for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine and criticized the lack of a clear strategy from the Biden administration.
Ratcliffe, addressing the Senate Intelligence Committee, assured that he would maintain an apolitical intelligence community under the Trump administration, committing to uphold the integrity of intelligence operations.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the leading Democrat on the committee, emphasized the importance of maintaining impartiality and integrity in decision-making, stating that political or personal biases should not influence our judgment or impact our products. He urged Rep. Ratcliffe to reassure intelligence officials that they can speak truthfully without fear of reprisal.
During his nomination hearing for the CIA director position in Washington, DC, Ratcliffe faced questions from Warner regarding potential political interference in the intelligence community. Warner expressed concerns about attacks by some supporters of President Trump and asked Ratcliffe to pledge not to dismiss CIA employees based on their political beliefs.
In a separate hearing, Trump’s nominee for energy secretary, Chris Wright, stood by past comments downplaying the severity of wildfires as a justification for certain climate policies. When questioned by a senator from California, where wildfires were causing significant damage, Wright maintained his position, prompting criticism from the senator about the impact of the fires on communities.
In another committee session, Russell Vought, nominated to lead the Office of Management and Budget, declined to commit to releasing approved funding for Ukraine, indicating a potential disagreement between Congress and the incoming administration. Vought cited the need to align with the president’s foreign policy priorities before making any decisions on the disbursement of funds.
Furthermore, Trump’s nominee for transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, discussed concerns related to Boeing’s reputation, funding for Amtrak, and the transparency of drone activities in New Jersey during his hearing. Duffy emphasized the importance of restoring global confidence in Boeing amidst a series of incidents and pledged to address various transportation issues if confirmed.
“Boeing’s importance spans beyond business operations to national security concerns,” stated Duffy during his testimony to the committee. “As the largest exporter of American products, Boeing holds a significant role in our economy. However, during a recent meeting, it was emphasized that tough love is necessary for the company to address its challenges.”
This article has been revised to include new developments.
Contributors to this report include CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Marshall Cohen, Zachary Cohen, Michael Conte, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak, Ella Nilsen, Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz, Hannah Rabinowitz, Manu Raju, and Alexandra Skores.
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