Pam Bondi's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was expected to be a contentious, partisan affair. It lived up to that billing.
It was the attorney general's first appearance at a congressional oversight hearing - and it was a timely one. Two weeks ago, her justice department indicted former FBI Director James Comey, triggering an outcry from Democratic politicians.
Her testimony on Tuesday also came just a day after a group of former justice department employees released a letter accusing Bondi of helping to take a sledgehammer to longstanding work the department has done to protect communities and the rule of law.
Nerves were raw, and Bondi was clearly ready for a fight. Here are five takeaways from the hearing.
1) Bondi goes on the attack
Recent Trump administration officials, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and FBI Director Kash Patel, have relied on a clear playbook for testimony before hostile congressional committees: go on the attack early and often. That strategy was on display throughout Bondi's testimony. When pressed on National Guard deployments, she said she wished Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and California Senator Alex Padilla loved their states as much as they hate Donald Trump.
When questioned about Jeffrey Epstein, she noted that several Democratic senators had taken money from deep-pocketed donors who had ties to the late convicted sex trafficker.
Bondi launched a series of pointed attacks on senators as they questioned her. When it was time for junior Vermont Senator Peter Welch to ask questions, he observed Bondi's penchant for launching personal attacks.
2) Lots of questions, few answers
When Bondi wasn't going on the attack, she frequently declined to comment on questions from both Democrats and Republicans. She said she wouldn't discuss personnel matters when questioned about senior-level justice department firings, including top FBI officials and a US lawyer who had recommended against the Comey indictment.
She wouldn't comment on ongoing investigations and legal proceedings – including the Comey case. Bondi's refusal to clarify her connections with the White House also drew criticism from several senators, indicating frustration over the lack of transparency.
3) Bondi keen to focus on crime
Bondi appeared determined to focus on what she said was the Trump administration's goal of reducing crime in the US. She cited statistics showing successes in arrests and drug enforcement, emphasizing the return to the administration's core mission. She aimed to resonate with public concerns about crime, possibly appealing to a broader political audience.
4) But Democrats focus on Epstein
Democrats pressed Bondi heavily on the Epstein investigation, which has been a source of scrutiny for her department. Questions ranged from the handling of potential evidence to financial documents tied to Epstein. Despite the pressure, Bondi remained evasive, continuing to elude direct answers and downplay the significance of the inquiries.
5) Republicans look back in anger
While Democrats emphasized concerns over the justice department's conduct, many Republican senators focused on grievances from the Biden presidency. They expressed frustration over their perceived lack of accountability and transparency in investigations involving the administration's political adversaries. Despite the partisan divide, there were shared sentiments about the integrity of the Department of Justice's mission.
Overall, the five-hour hearing served as a vivid reflection of the deepening political polarization in today’s landscape, leaving both parties arguing about their respective misgivings and accountability in governance.
