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Confirmation process for Pam Bondi for U.S. attorney general

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Trump Administration
(second term)
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Administration: Donald Trump's Cabinet • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Confirmation votes by senator • Executive orders and actions • Key legislation • Vetoes • White House staff • Ambassadors • Special envoys • Multistate lawsuits • Supreme Court emergency orders
Transition: Transition • What happens during a presidential transition? • Certification of electoral votes • 2024 presidential election
First term: Transition • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Cabinet • Administration

President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) was his nominee for U.S. attorney general on November 21, 2024.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings for Bondi on January 15 and 16, 2025.[1] The Senate voted 54-46 to confirm Bondi as attorney general on February 4, 2025.[2] Click here to read more about the confirmation process.

Trump said of Bondi's nomination, "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!"[3]

Trump's first nominee for the position, former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R), was announced on November 13, 2024. Gaetz withdrew from consideration on November 21, 2024.[4][5] Click here to read more about Gaetz's nomination and withdrawal.

This page includes the following information about the confirmation process:

Confirmation process

See also: Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

Confirmation vote roll call

See also: How senators voted on Trump Cabinet nominees, 2025

The Senate voted 54-46 to confirm Bondi as attorney general on February 4, 2025.

Summary of Senate vote on Pam Bondi's nomination for attorney general (February 4, 2025)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 1 44 0
Republican Party Republicans 53 0 0
Grey.png Independents 0 2 0
Totals 54 46 0


Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote in favor of Bondi's confirmation.



Timeline

  • February 4, 2025: The Senate voted 54-46 to confirm Bondi as attorney general.
  • January 15-16, 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings for Bondi.[6]
  • November 21, 2024:
    • Gaetz withdrew from consideration for U.S. attorney general.[5]
    • Trump announced Pam Bondi as his second nominee for U.S. attorney general.[7]
  • November 13, 2024: Trump announced he would nominate Matt Gaetz for U.S. attorney general.[4]

Senate confirmation hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings for Bondi on January 15-16, 2025.[8]

January 15, 2025

Pam Bondi's Senate confirmation hearing, January 15, 2025

January 16, 2025

Pam Bondi's Senate confirmation hearing, January 16, 2025

Financial disclosures

The Office of Government Ethics released Bondi's financial disclosures in January 2025. Click here to review them.

About the nominee

Bondi was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1965. She graduated from King High School in 1983. In 1987, she received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida. She graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1990.[9][10]

After law school, Bondi worked as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County state attorney’s office for 18 years.[9][10]

Bondi was first elected Florida attorney general in 2010, and was re-elected in 2014.[11]

After serving as Florida's attorney general, Bondi worked at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm.[12][13] In 2020, Bondi was named to Trump’s legal defense team in his first Senate impeachment trial.[14][15] Ahead of her nomination for U.S. attorney general, Bondi worked at the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit research organization founded by former advisors to Donald Trump (R).[16]

Statements in response to nomination announcement

The section below provides statements from senators on the Judiciary committee in response to Trump's November 21, 2024, announcement of Bondi as his nominee for U.S. attorney general in his second presidential term.

Republicans

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was expected to serve as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress, commented on Bondi's nomination on the social media platform X. His post, as written, is reproduced below:

“ Pam Bondi is a longtime prosecutor& effectively led FL large AttyGeneral's office for 8yrs She is well regarded& experienced I got to know her during 1st Trump term when Trump signed 1st crim justice reform in a generation Will learn more as we vet her nom in judic Cmte.[17][18] ”
—Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)


Democrats

“ Matt Gaetz was a threat to democracy, but so is Pam Bondi. [...] Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants to turn the Department of Justice into an arm of the White House. He has said over and over again that he intends to use his power to prosecute and punish his political enemies. Pam Bondi's number one qualification is that she is a sycophant to Donald Trump.[19][18] ”
—Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)

About the confirmation process

See also: Appointment confirmation process

The confirmation process includes several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee may also testify.[20]

Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation. The nomination will then go to the Senate floor for consideration. Once the nomination is considered by the Senate, unlimited debate is allowed until a majority of the Senate votes to invoke cloture and close debate. Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.[21]

About the Cabinet

A presidential Cabinet is a group of senior federal officials who advise the president on the issues and activities of their respective agencies. The Cabinet tradition is rooted in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which states that the president "may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices."[22]

While not explicitly identified in the Constitution, the Cabinet secretaries are the 15 agency heads who are in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also part of the Cabinet. These positions, in order of presidential succession, are:

The number of officials in a Cabinet can vary across presidential administrations. The following additional positions are part of Trump's second term presidential Cabinet:

All of the positions above, except for Vice President and White House Chief of Staff, require Senate confirmation.

Other Trump Cabinet nominees

See also: Donald Trump's Cabinet, 2025 and Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

The following table provides an overview of the status, confirmation hearings, and committee and Senate votes for each of Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-rank nominees in his second term.

Overview of confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees in his second term
Nominee Position Announced Senate committee Confirmation hearing Committee vote Senate vote Status
Marco Rubio Secretary of State November 13, 2024 Foreign Relations January 15, 2025 Favorable (22-0) 99-0 Confirmed on January 20, 2025
Scott Bessent Secretary of the Treasury November 22, 2024 Finance January 16, 2025 Favorable (16-11) 68-29 Confirmed on January 27, 2025
Pete Hegseth Secretary of Defense November 12, 2024 Armed Services January 14, 2025 Favorable (14-13) 51-50 Confirmed on January 24, 2025
Matt Gaetz Attorney General November 13, 2024 Judiciary N/A N/A N/A Withdrawn on November 21, 2024
Pam Bondi Attorney General November 21, 2024 Judiciary January 15-16, 2025 Favorable (12-10) 54-46 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Doug Burgum Secretary of the Interior November 14, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 16, 2025 Favorable (18-2) 80-17 Confirmed on January 30, 2025
Brooke Rollins Secretary of Agriculture November 23, 2024 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry January 23, 2025 Favorable (23-0) 72-28 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Howard Lutnick Secretary of Commerce November 19, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 29, 2025 Favorable (16-12) 51-45 Confirmed on February 18, 2025
Lori Chavez-DeRemer Secretary of Labor November 22, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 19, 2025 Favorable (13-9) 67-32 Confirmed on March 10, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Services November 14, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
/ Finance		 January 30, 2025 / January 29, 2025 N/A / Favorable (14-13) 52-48 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Scott Turner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development November 22, 2024 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs January 16, 2025 Favorable (13-11) 55-44 Confirmed on February 5, 2025
Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation November 18, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 15, 2025 Favorable (28-0) 77-22 Confirmed on January 28, 2025
Chris Wright Secretary of Energy November 16, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 15, 2025 Favorable (15-5) 59-38 Confirmed on February 3, 2025
Linda McMahon Secretary of Education November 19, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 13, 2025 Favorable (12-11) 51-45 Confirmed on March 3, 2025
Doug Collins Secretary of Veterans Affairs November 14, 2024 Veterans' Affairs January 21, 2025 Favorable (18-1) 77-23 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Kristi Noem Secretary of Homeland Security November 12, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs January 17, 2025 Favorable (13-2) 59-34 Confirmed on January 25, 2025
Jamieson Greer U.S. Trade Representative November 26, 2024 Finance February 6, 2025 Favorable (15-12) 56-43 Confirmed on February 26, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard Director of National Intelligence November 13, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 30, 2025 Favorable (9-8) 52-48 Confirmed on February 12, 2025
Elise Stefanik U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations November 11, 2024 Foreign Relations January 21, 2025 Favorable (Voice Vote) N/A Withdrawn on March 27, 2025
Michael Waltz U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations May 1, 2025 Foreign Relations July 15, 2025 Favorable (12-10) TBD Passed committee
Russell Vought Director of the Office of Management and Budget November 22, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs / Budget January 15, 2025 / January 22, 2025 Favorable (8-7) / Favorable (11-0) 53-47 Confirmed on February 6, 2025
Lee Zeldin Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency November 11, 2024 Environment and Public Works January 16, 2025 Favorable (11-8) 56-42 Confirmed on January 29, 2025
Kelly Loeffler Administrator of the Small Business Administration December 4, 2024 Small Business and Entrepreneurship January 29, 2025 Favorable (12-7) 52-46 Confirmed on February 19, 2025
John Ratcliffe Director of the Central Intelligence Agency November 12, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 15, 2025 Favorable (14-3) 74-25 Confirmed on January 23, 2025


Historical comparison of Cabinet confirmations

Comparison to Biden administration

See also: Joe Biden's Cabinet

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Joe Biden (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2021. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Trump's first term

See also: Donald Trump presidential Cabinet, 2017-2021

The following chart displays how many days it took for President Donald Trump's (R) first term Cabinet secretaries to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2017. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Obama administration

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Barack Obama (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2009. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.


List of U.S. attorneys general, 1789-2025

See also: U.S. Department of Justice
Recent Attorneys General
Attorney General Years in office Nominated by Confirmation vote
Janet Reno 1993-2001 Bill Clinton 98-0
John Ashcroft 2001-2005 George W. Bush 58-42
Alberto Gonzalez 2005-2007 George W. Bush 60-36
Michael Mukasey 2007-2009 George W. Bush 53-40
Eric Holder 2009-2015 Barack Obama 75-21
Loretta Lynch 2015-2017 Barack Obama 56-43
Jeff Sessions 2017-2018 Donald Trump 52-47
William Barr 2019-2020 Donald Trump 54-45
Merrick Garland 2021-2025 Joe Biden 70-30
James McHenry (acting) 2025-present Donald Trump N/A


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "The Nomination of the Honorable Pamela Jo Bondi to be Attorney General of the United States," January 15, 2025
  2. ↑ Newsweek, "Donald Trump Ally Pam Bondi Confirmed as US Attorney General," February 4, 2025
  3. ↑ Truth Social, "Trump on November 21, 2024," accessed November 22, 2024
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Truth Social, "Trump on November 13, 2024," accessed November 13, 2024
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 X, "Matt Gaetz on November 21, 2024," accessed November 21, 2024
  6. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "The Nomination of the Honorable Pamela Jo Bondi to be Attorney General of the United States," January 15, 2025
  7. ↑ BBC, "Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws," November 22, 2024
  8. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "The Nomination of the Honorable Pamela Jo Bondi to be Attorney General of the United States," January 15, 2025
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tampa Bay Times, "Pam Bondi charmed her way from Tampa’s courthouse to the White House," November 26, 2024
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Stetson University, "Florida’s first female attorney general, Pam Bondi, presented Stetson Law commencement on May 18," April 8, 2013
  11. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, AG Pam Bondi files for re-election, July 1, 2013
  12. ↑ Florida Phoenix, "Former FL Attorney General Pam Bondi now a Washington lobbyist," January 22, 2019
  13. ↑ New York Times, "Pam Bondi Is Trump’s New Choice for Attorney General. Here’s What to Know About Her," November 21, 2024
  14. ↑ WUSF, "Pam Bondi Joins Donald Trump's Impeachment Legal Defense," January 17, 2020
  15. ↑ Fox35 Orlando, "Bondi tapped for Trump impeachment defense team," January 17, 2020
  16. ↑ America First Policy Institute, "The Honorable Pam Bondi," accessed November 21, 2024
  17. ↑ X, "Chuck Grassley on November 22, 2024," accessed November 22, 2024
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  19. ↑ YouTube, "'She Is A Sycophant To Donald Trump': Chris Murphy Denounces Pam Bondi As New AG Pick," November 22, 2024
  20. ↑ CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Process: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
  21. ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure," April 4, 2019
  22. ↑ Constitution Center, "Presidential Advisors," accessed November 18, 2020
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