What started as a routine confirmation hearing quickly turned into a fiery exchange when Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi clashed with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), highlighting his prior censure by Congress. The former Florida Attorney General faced pointed questions from Schiff about her stance on hypothetical cases and her approach to presidential pardons, leading to a tense back-and-forth.
Schiff pressed Bondi early on, asking, “Will it be your advice to the President: ‘No, Mr. President. I need to review them on a case-by-case basis. Do not issue blanket pardons.’ Will that be your advice?” Bondi responded firmly, “Senator, I have not reviewed any of those files. If confirmed, I will evaluate the files for the pardons as well as the ongoing investigations.”
The exchange escalated as Schiff questioned whether Bondi could handle the workload. “And will you be able to review hundreds of cases on day one?” he asked. Bondi countered, “I will review every file I’m tasked with. I’m not going to mislead this body, nor you.” The tension peaked when Bondi brought up Schiff’s prior censure by Congress, stating, “You were censured by Congress, Senator, for comments like this that are so reckless!”
What began as a standard confirmation hearing quickly escalated into a heated exchange as Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi clashed with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), highlighting his prior congressional censure. Schiff’s questions, focused on hypothetical cases and the handling of presidential pardons, became increasingly tense as the hearing progressed.
Schiff pressed Bondi on whether she would advise the President against issuing blanket pardons. “Will it be your advice to the President: ‘No, Mr. President. I need to review them case-by-case’?” he asked. Bondi responded, “Senator, I have not reviewed any of those files. If confirmed, I will thoroughly evaluate the files related to pardons and ongoing investigations.”
The tension grew as Schiff questioned Bondi’s ability to manage the workload. “And will you be able to review hundreds of cases on day one?” he challenged. Bondi firmly replied, “I will review every file I’m tasked with. I’m not going to mislead this body—or you.” The exchange took a sharp turn when Bondi referenced Schiff’s censure, stating, “You were censured by Congress for comments like this—so reckless!” The pointed remark visibly struck a nerve.
The confrontation intensified when Schiff shifted focus to allegations involving former Rep. Liz Cheney. Cheney faces claims of witness tampering related to her work on the January 6 Committee. A GOP-led subcommittee alleged she secretly communicated with witness Cassidy Hutchinson using encrypted apps, bypassing her attorney. The panel has recommended an FBI investigation, though Cheney denies the accusations, labeling them politically motivated and aimed at protecting Donald Trump. The FBI has not confirmed if it will pursue the case.
Schiff pressed Bondi further, asking, “Are you aware of any factual basis to investigate Liz Cheney?” Bondi countered, “Senator, no one has asked me to investigate Liz Cheney. That is a hypothetical.” She then shifted the focus to California’s crime rate, adding, “The crime rate in California is through the roof. Robberies are 87% higher than the national average. That’s where I want to focus if confirmed as Attorney General.”
Bondi’s assertive responses and refusal to be cornered by Schiff’s line of questioning earned praise from Republican senators in attendance. The hearing highlighted Bondi’s combative approach and her willingness to challenge Democratic critics directly—qualities her supporters argue are crucial for the role of Attorney General.