ms. bondi, and thank you for your willingness to serve. i thank senator durbin for his leadership as chairman of the committee over the last four years. although he and i have differences of policies, i think the public could say we worked well together on many issues over the years. as he steps into his role as ranking member, i will work closely with senator durbin to serve the american people. i also would like to welcome three brand-new members to the committee any person that is repeating his service here after a stint off. i welcome senator britt, senator schmitt, senator crapo and senator schiff. welcome. [applause] before we get started i would like to set out a couple of ground rules. i want to handle this hearing using a similar structure to house senator durbin handled the nomination hearing of attorney general garland. i want everyone to watch the hearing without obstruction. if people stand up and block the view of those behind him or speak out of turn, it is not fair or considerat

ms. bondi's statement we'll begin the first round of questioning. each senator will have an initial seven minutes round for questions. after the first round we'll do a second four-minute round of questioning. members should do their very best to adhere to these time limits so that we can proceed efficiently with the hearing. we're here today to consider pam bondi's nomination to serve as attorney general of the united states. ms. bondi, for a second time, i thank you for your nomination, willingness to serve, but more importantly, serve the important role of senate's advise and consent process. you're nominated to one of the most important offices in our country. it took-- it took, let's see, a lot of work on your part just to get here today,e than 14,000 pages of records, hundreds of hours of media files and more than 3400 responsive entries you disclosed to this committee are a des testament to your long career in the public eye and your cooperation with this committee. i'd also like to thank

ms. bondi: first, we can address it at the bureau of prison level, of course. what we talked about. for the people who will be locked up in prison serving sentences to make sure they get the resources that they need upon release, 98% of the people in the bureau of prisons will be released. i believe it's a mess right now. a mess. when you look at an organizational chart of the office, assuming i may get confirmed, i was looking at all the slots, my eyes went down to the bottom to bureau of prisons because of my career experience as a prosecutor. caring about what happens there for the very reasons you said. we need more drug courts. and you were talking about drug addicts as well. it's more than that. we both know that. it's also people who are dual diagnosed. meaning you have a drug addiction but also mental health issues. that's -- mr. well sen. welch: i would like to work with you on that. then the third thing is mentioned this earlier, the consumer issues. the false claims act -- efforts th

ms. bondi, and thank you for your willingness to serve. i think senator durbin for his leadership as chairman of the committee over the last four years. although he and i have differences of policies, i think the public and say we worked well together on many issues over the years. as he steps into his role as ranking member, i will work closely with senator durbin to serve the american people. i also would like to welcome three brand-new members to the committee any person that is repeating his service here after a stent off -- stint off. i welcome senator britt, senator schmitt, senator crapo and senator schiff. welcome. [applause] before we get started i would like to set out a couple of ground rules. i want to handle this hearing using a similar structure to house senator durbin handled the nomination hearing of attorney general or garland. -- attorney general garland. i want everyone to watch the hearing without obstruction. if people stand up and block the view of those behind him or spea

ms. bondi: oh, i remember when that started. several of my former colleagues are behind me. they're probably smiling. i remember when that started, i said, ooh, i'll never get elected to a second term. because, yes, i fought for what intellectualed in based on meeting these victims' families and seeing the need and i fought the industry. that was a big industry. sen. tillis: and you were in an elected position with a lot of people, with a target on you. and you stood firm. thank you. ms. bondi: more than once, senator. thank you. sen. coons: thank you. in our previous conversation we talked about criminal justice reform. and in particular your contribution to the enactment of the first step act. in the previous trump administration. and i just want to talk with you about a couple of bipartisan initiatives in this area. senators cornyn, lee, durbin, tillis, booker and i have introduced a bipartisan bill called the safer supervision act. federal probation officers have a massive caseload, often m

hirono: yesterday at mr. -- ms. bondy refused to disavow president from calling the insurrectionists hostages and patriots. what effect would president trump's pardoning of the criminals have on our country? what is the message if that were to happen? ms. mccord: senator, i believe it would have an enormous impact on the criminal legal system. and also on our judiciary. i published a piece about that. we have our federal judges here appointed by republicans, democrats, and president trump himself that have uniformly condemned the crimes of those who have been convicted due to their attack on the u.s. capitol . that anything close to a blanket pardon, what has been suggested, but not promised to buy donald trump without individual consideration of cases, would severely undermine these federal judges and undermine the criminal legal system. sen. hirono: we know from the disastrous supreme court immunity decision that president trump are you much as a free pass to do what he wants. an unfettered president is more dangerous i

ms. bondi's work as a laurier and administrator printed ms. bonnie began her career as an intern in his office while serving as attorney general, she appointed him to his current office in third and last, we have sure emery a career in law enforcement officer with more than 40 years experience. he served us sure to enter to counties in florida and when she served as attorney general, he served us the director of law enforcement and director victim services in his work as law enforcement officer in florida sheriffs very familiar with the work with the state and local civil law enforcement as well as her work to address drug abuse, fight human trafficking victims of crime and thanks to all of you for serving senator durbin. >> thank you chairman presley i would take a moment to reflect on yesterday session with ms. bondi seem to be a meeting of the mindsng on criminal juste reform in the present need to protect our children online. that was a good thing there so some outstanding issues from yesterday's hearing that trend that i'm struggling with

endorsements on ms. bondi. with almost 30 years of experience behind her she has restored, she will restore morale and order to the department of a department in need of strong leadership. her commitment to the rule of law emerged as a central theme of our discussion yesterday and as i made clear in my opening statement yesterday that is what i believe the department desperately need spree today the purpose is to hear from outside panel of witnesses and we are grateful that all of you were here this morning to express your views on this nominee. i will go ahead and introduce the majority witnesses. first is dave ehrenberg. until a few days ago mr. ehrenberg was the elected democrat state attorney for florida's 15th judicial district. he served in that role for three terms since he was elected in 2012. mr. ehrenberg also previously served in the florida state senate and as a white house fellow under the clinton and bush administration's. he has known ms. bondi since 2010 when he ran to be the attorney general of

he has known ms. bondi since 2010 when he ran to be the attorney general of florida and it was a position ms. bondi obviously one. notwithstanding their political differences ms. bondi appointed mr. ehrenberg to be her drug czar to combat the opioid epidemic and through that work he came to know ms. bondi very well. second we have mr. necklace cox who is -- nicholas cox. in his capacity as statewide prosecutor mr. cox focuses on cases involving human trafficking drug abuse fraud, organized crime gang violence cybermat crimes and crimes against seniors. mr. cox previously served as a member of the faculty at the university college of law where he trot -- where he taught trial advocacy and criminal procedure. .. more than 40 years experience, has served as a sheriff of two counties in florida when ms. bobby served as attorney general, he served law enforcement and director of victim services through his work and law enforcement officer in floors sheriff is very familiar with mr. bondi's work with the state, l

ms. bondi, for a second time i thank you for your nomination, willingness to serve, but more importantly serve the important role of senate advise and consent process. you are nominated to one of the most important offices in our country. it took -- it took -- let's see, a lot of work on your part just to get here today. the more than 14,000 pages of records, hundreds of hours of media files, and more than 3400 responsive entries, you disclosed to this committee are a testament to your long career in public eye and your cooperation with this committee. i would like to also thank your family for being here today. i have know that many of them have traveled some distance to celebrate with you. i would like to explain and expect that ms. bondi be treated fairly. attorney general garland's confirmation hearing republicans treated him with respect. we asked tough but fair questions and we ultimately voted him out of committee on a bipartisan basis, although attorney general garland wasn't who we on

ms. bondi's statement we'll begin the first round of questioning. each senator will have an initial seven minutes round for questions. after the first round we'll do a second four-minute round of questioning. members should do their very best to adhere to these time limits so that we can proceed efficiently with the hearing. we're here today to consider pam bondi's nomination to serve as attorney general of the united states. ms. bondi, for a second time, i thank you for your nomination, willingness to serve, but more importantly, serve the important role of senate's advise and consent process. you're nominated to one of the most important offices in our country. it took-- it took, let's see, a lot of work on your part just to get here today, more than 14,000 pages of records, hundreds of hours of media files and more than 3400 responsive entries you disclosed to this committee are a des testament to your long career in the public eye and your cooperation with this committee. i'd also like to t

ms. bondi, i wanted to come back, and i am but i did because i got another mark on my bingo card. qanon came up. it's a little known fact. but i think i heard someone say that is a cabal that has cannibalistic tendencies. i don't know if you all know this is well documented fact that those so-called qanon shaman is a vegetarian who actually had to be transferred to another prison to satisfies dietary needs after being sentenced to 41 monson presence. i don't know if all the qanon people are cannibals. that's a little bit absurd. i just wanted and a little -- i just wanted a little levity here. i am one mark away. it is absurd to think -- and it was mentioned in reference to a comment that cass patel -- kash patel made. does anybody honestly believe someone with a distinguished career things that a cannibalistic cabal actually exists? let me give you an example why i resist that notion. i resist the notion that most of the members here who all raise tens of millions of dollars through actblue th

ms. bondi thanks for coming to my office to discuss your nomination. the importance of attorney general to adjust the system cannot be overstated as the nation's chief law enforcement officer the attorney general oversees the department of justice which is responsible for protecting the civil rights of americans economic freedom and opportunity, public safety and of course national security. in short the attorney general has a real impact on americans every day lives and it's critical in a nominee for this position be committed first and foremost to the constitution and the american people and not any president or political agenda. president trump claims he has quote an absolute right to do what he wants with the justice department and that's how he conducted his first term. he interfered with the criminal cases of his friends and allies successfully pressured doj to investigate his rivals. even tried to use the justice department overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. the pres

ms. bondi: i wasn't aware of the mens rea issue, yes. chair grassley: senator klobuchar. sen. khroe by champion: thank you very much -- sen. klobuchar: thank you very much -- >> president biden: i can announce a cease-fire. a hostage deal has been reached between israel and hamas. more than 15 months of conflict that began with with hezbollah's brutal massacre on october 7, 15 months of terror for the hostages, their families, israeli people, more than 15 months of suffering by the innocent people of gaza fighting in gaza will stop and soon the hostages will be return home to their families. the elements of this deal were what i laid out in detail this past may. which was embraced by countries around the world and endorsed overwhelmingly by the u.n. u.n.security council. the deal is structured in three phrases. phase one will last six weeks. it includes a full and complete cease-fire, withdrawal of israeli forces from all the populated areas of gaza, and, and the release of a number of hostages held by hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded. i'm proud to say americ

. >> thank you, ms. bondi, if you are successful in this nomination the democrat would like to give you three words of advice, answer grassley's letters. you will never hear the end of it if you don't. at issue i believe in this nam notification hearing is not your competence nor your experience. at issue is your ability to say no. more than any other cabinet official, the attorney general has to be prepared to put the constitution first and even tell the president of the united states you are wrong. the political danger and personal costs of such a decision are well documented. you have only to ask former attorney general jeff session and bill barr who donald trump sacked for lack of loyalty. so i have three basic questions i would like to ask you. most americans believe that central to the peaceful transition of power in a democracy is the acceptance of the results of an election. to my knowledge, donald trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the 2020 election. are you prepared to say today under

. >> ms. bondi, that is not my.ion. >> i went to a rape crisis center and i'm not familiar with der the statement but i went toe center and met with border agents. i'm sure you've been t go the border as well. >> went to get to the next question. >> laura: i want to make sure the staff has written the questions clearly because i can't think without my papers.pr but of course, bondi expose thep democrats real priority and it is notnow, the safety of theof american people. and most hilarious have many alibris parts of the spectacle was when democrats had the nerve to try to skewer bondi on the weaponization of the justice system. >> istemt would not be approprie for a prosecutor to start with the name and look for a cream. it is a prosecutor's job to start with a crime and look for a name correct? >> senator, that is the whole problem with the weaponization we have seen the last four yeary and what has been happening tot donald trump. they targeted donald trump. they went after him. i will not target people simply bec

. >> ms. bondy, please answer my. >> the state of california right now is through the roof.r robberies are 87% higher than the national average. >> my question is this. >> that's what i would fulks on if i'm confirmed as attorney general. >> laura: does adam schiff really think that americans lie awake at night worrying, freght about the fate of liz cheney? talk about out of touch. this was a six hour exercise in liberal futility it was extended campaign commercial for the g.o.p. >> under what circumstances will you prosecute journalists for what they write? >> is president-elect trump eligible to run for another term as president in 2028. >> can you say no to the president of the united states when he asks you to do something unethical or illegal. >> laura: like the municipalities. they still can't quit their trump's a threat to democracy it's unbelievable it. blew up on their faces on election day. i guess they have got nothing else. senator after senator, sounded like they just ripped the pages out of kamala's old debate prep. >> he has also said illegal immigration is po

. >> ms. bondi. >> your robbery is 87% higher than the national average. >> your job will be, i'm speaking. your job will be to protect voters. i hope you answer, ms. bondi now when we met yesterday. >> previous one, senator. you pointed your finger at me and said you were speaking let me answer my question. i'm not going to be bullied by you, senator. >> if president-elect trump asks, suggests or hints that you as attorney general should investigate one of his perceived political enemies would you do so? >> senator hirono, i wish you had met with me. had you met with me, we could have discussed many things and gotten to. >> i'm list listen to be to youw could you respond to the question. >> you were the only one who refused to meet with me, senator. >> ted cruz says he doesn't want to see a republican department of justice or a democratic department of justice. he just wants a justice department that, quote: follows the damn law. steve? >> steve: justice for all, maybe. thank you very much, lucas.

ms. bondi, have you had less time than this round? i don't have a couple of questions but important issues to cover for the record. when you were florida attorney general, you had restricted abortion laws with consent requirements. if confirmed as attorney general, would you advocate for restrictions at the federal level? i will follow the law of the unite states of america. >> i am asking the question because a difference between federal law in florida law. there is a difference between the law in your personal views. >> according to dobbs, those are left to the state. >> your personal use, how can you make sure it does not affect your decision as attorney general involving reproductive health? >> my personal, no, my personal feelings would not influence, senator. >> okay. next questions on the topic of gun violence, which continues to be a challenge or a problem in many parts of the country. as you know, the department plays a key role in enforcing federal gun laws and working to prevent gun violence. in the wake of the shooting in

you cut me off when i was speaking. >> i hope you and her, ms. bondi. -- answer, ms. monty. -- ms. ndi. >> i'm not going to be bullied by you. >> it was deeply disappointing. >> i guess you would hear my answer. >> an opportunity to study overnight. can you tell me end this committee with the citizenship clause of the 14th amendment says? >> senator, i'm here to answer your questions. i'm not here to do your homework and study for you. if i'm confirmed -- >> you are the one asking for a confirmation. >> can i please finish? >> what does the 14th amendment says? >> it addresses birthright citizenship. i look forward to given you remarks today working with you and the people of california if i am confirmed as the 87th attorney general of the united states of america. i did not take your homework assignment. i'm sorry. i was repairing for today. -- preparing for today. host: pam bondi yesterday on capitol hill. if you want to watch that hearing in its entirety, you can do so at c-span.org. stay with c-span on c-span2 and 3. more confirmation hearings coming. interior secretary picked d

ms. bondi's nomination for attorney general and as i said yesterday, when everyone to be able to watch theearing with out obstruction. in the people stand up in the block the views of others behind them, where they speak out of turn, it is not fair or considerate to others and so the officers will remove

ms. bondi in florida was paid $25,000 not to -- to dismiss the case of the university, all the parents who wanted to sue donald trump for the university that went down. donald trump is not worthy of office. and people are brain-dead and chose trump over eggs and groceries those bills would have changed. it was because of the supply chain. every time america suffers, it is because a republican is in office and it takes a democrat to fix it. stay strong, america. we are going to come back and god is going to move trump or we will have to suffer for four years. host: next is vincent in maryland on our line for independents. caller: to the last caller, the very party you are talking about that you belong to and support enslaved my ancestors and your ancestors. it started in 1858. america being built on the backs of slaves, the very party you are a member of. no black person in my view can have anything to do the democrats. vote independent. god bless you, mike. yesterday, there was a lady on -- hos

. >> ms. bondintimate question. >> california is through the roof. >> your robberies are 87% higher than the national average. >> chairman chuck grassley expects to advances nomination of the committee on january 27 which could lead to a four vote but things are fluid in d.c., he represents vermont in the house and now the u.s. senate on the judiciary committee. he was also quite an accomplished trial lawyer before coming to d.c. welcome senator it's wonderful to see you. were you looking for in ensuring general and where's the line between this is not the person i would've picked versus this person is not qualified. >> for me, three things, number one is confidence, never to the insurance of the awesome power of the attorney general from political adversaries in something i think is really important the ability inappropriate time to say no if the president is pushing you to do something that you should not. i'll go through them pam bondi is very qualified i admire the career she's had and her grit

this is the all they can do and nobody reached across the aisle and we like what you're saying, ms. bondiwe'll help you. just a bunch of left wing brain dead ankle biters because they have amnesia about what happened on november 5, mike. amnesia. >> yep. pam bondi hit it out of the park today and dermovateed her decisive leadership, her strong command of the facts and the law and even some of the smarter senate judiciary democrats conceded today that pam bondi is going to win senate confirmation. >> oat people are complete and utter morons and the people that ought to get things done on senate democrat side like dick durbin, he know this is is inevitable to get confirmed. larry: getting confirmed, no question about it. ned ryun, what else happened out there. john ratcliffe, marco rubio, chris wright at energy department and dear friend russell voting and these are all incredible strong players and all part of the trump revolution and all part of one big beautiful bill. >> pam bondi is interesting in restoring trust in the doj and equal application of the law and rule of law and standing e

ms. bondin florida was paid $25,000 not to -- to dismiss the case of the university, all the parents who wanted to sue donald trump for the university that went down. donald trump is not worthy of office. and people are brain-dead and shows trump -- chose trump over eggs and groceries those bills would have changed. it was because of the supply chain. every time america suffers, it is because a republican is in office and it takes a democrat to fix it. stay strong, america. we are going to come back and god is going to move trump or we will have to suffer for four years. host: next is vincent in maryland on our line for independents. >> to the last caller, the very party you are talking about that you belong to and support enslaved my ancestors and your ancestors. it started in 1958. america being built on the backs of slaves, the very party you are a member of. no person -- no black person in my view can have anything to do the democrats. vote independent. god bless you, mike. yesterday, there

welcome, ms. bondi and to your family. thank you for visiting with me in my office and i have to say i'm sympathetic always to a former attorney general, particularly having been one myself, but i am -- i have to say also really troubled, deeply disturbed by some of your responses and non-responses to the questions that you have been asked today. you say the right things that you are going to be a people's lawyer. that's what you have to say to be here. but i believe being the people's lawyer means you have to be able to say no to the president of the united states. you have to speak truth to power. you have to be able to say that donald trump lost the 2020 election. you dodged that question when you were asked directly by senator durbin. you have to be able to say that january 6th insurrectionists who committed violence shouldn't be pardoned. you have to be able to say a nominee for the f.b.i. director who says he has an enemy list, and that's just the beginning of what he has said in terms of politicizing deeply weaponiz

you are aware, ms. bondi -- >> reporter: bondi, who was involved in trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election in pennsylvania, pressed on whether she would now acknowledge trump lost. >> who won the 2020 presidential election? >> joe biden is the president of the united states. >> reporter: later asked if she had doubts that biden had won. >> i accept, of course, that joe biden is president of the united i was on the ground in pennsylvania, and i saw many things there, but do i accept the results? of course i do. do i agree with what happened? i saw so much. >> reporter: loyalty was a question for other potential nominees as well including john ratcliffe who has been tapped to run the cia. >> will you reassure your workforce that loyalty tests are not allowed and not encouraged in the cia? >> i will. >> reporter: and in a sign of loyalty, trump overnight making it clear that people recommended by republicans that are now his political enemies will not get jobs in his new administration calling on folks li

. >> ms. bondi, you know there's a differece between acknowledging it.ould say donald trump won the 2024 election. i may not like it but i can say it. >> reporter: democrats also asking about trump's vow for retribution and kash patel's promise to go after the president elect's political enemies. >> i believe kash is the right person at this time for this job. you'll have the ability to question mr. patel. >> i'm questioning you right now about whether you will enforce an enemies list that he announced publicly on television. >> i'm sorry. there will never be an enemies list within the department of justice. >> reporter: she was asked repeatedly if she would investigate jack smith or liz cheney, who trump said should go to jail. >> are you aware of any factual predicate to investigate jack smith, yes or no? >> senator, i will look at the facts and circumstances. >> you can't answer that question. >> reporter: bondi is on a clear path being confirmed. republicans praising her qualifications. >> i have the greatest deal of respect for you personally, profe

ms. bondi is one of four personal lawyers to president-elect trump. she was the leader in an effort to overturn the 2020 election. she has echoed the president's calls for prosecuting his political opponents and has a troubling history of unflinching loyalty to the president-elect. she has a record of hostility to fundamental civil rights including reproductive rights and lgbtq rights. every president has the right to nominate individuals to serve in key cabinet positions. however, the senate has a constitutional duty to provide advise and consent on these nominees. the american people deserve an attorney general who will protect their fundamental rights, demonstrate independence and integrity and remain faithful to the constitution, the country, and the rule of law. mr. president, i yield the in terms of the nominees that are the most controversial getting confirmed, you have pete hegseth tomorrow morning and trumps nominee. his nomination will be the one to focus on but there are a couple of others on the national security side and they will not hav

you know, ms. bondi, it would make you believe that my colleagues have learned nothing.ections in november. they do not see this as a movie script that someone may have liked to write. what they see is this is real life. they want a restoration to equal justice. equal access. abiding by the rule of law. making america safe again. the intimacy that i hear a good bit about this. as we have discussed your nomination, one of the things i can mention to people is your career as a prosecutor. you have touched on that sum today. you are bringing that insight of being a prosecutor to they are. i do appreciate that. one thing that i think it's noteworthy and in preparation for the hearing, i look some of these numbers up. during president trump's first term, violent crime in this country actually failed. it failed by 17%. in the first two years of the biden administration, it soared by 43%. this is crime that is taking place in all of our communities. we have seen arise whether it is california or tennessee, we have seen a rise. so, i want you to talk to tennessee people, califor