Bondi Vows to 'Make America Safe Again' as Attorney General, Moody Offers Endorsement

With Attorney General Pam Bondi officially sworn in as the 87th Attorney General of the United States, one of her first statements as the AG declared her intention to "make America safe again" and restore faith in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Pam Bondi served as the State Attorney General of Florida during former Governor Rick Scott's (R-FL) tenure (2011-2019).

After taking the oath administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, AG Bondi swore that she would "fight violent crime" in the United States and worldwide.

"I will restore integrity to the Justice Department, and I will fight violent crime throughout this country and throughout the world and make America safe again," said AG Bondi.

Moreover, Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), gave a resounding endorsement of her Florida Attorney General predecessor and called her a "longtime friend during an appearance on Newsmax.

"I'm so excited for my longtime friend and certainly my predecessor as Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi. You will see, she will be one of the strongest, most disciplined, most focused Attorneys General we've had," said Sen. Moody.

How did we get here?

Well, after President Donald Trump (R) appointed former Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) for the Secretary of State position, it left Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) with a vacancy to fill. He chose Florida AG at the time Ashley Moody to Rubio's seat, and picked his Chief of Staff, James Uthmeier to be Florida's AG.

Moreover, President Trump initially chose former Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to run the DOJ, but he withdrew from the process, leading Trump to pick Bondi. Throughout this process, two former Florida Attorneys General have catapulted into the national spotlight.

Bondi's Attorney General Confirmation Hearing

During her confirmation hearing on Jan. 16, Bondi was asked about the 2020 election, the potential pardoning of January 6th protestors, and whether she would be more loyal to the Constitution or President Donald Trump (R).

During the hearing, multiple Democrats reiterated the question of whether President-elect Trump lost the 2020 election. Bondi repeatedly answered by saying that President Joe Biden (D) is currently the Commander-in-Chief, he was "duly sworn in" and that there was a "peaceful transfer of power" in the Oval Office.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) followed up with Bondi by asking if she had "any doubts" that Biden had the majority of electoral votes to win in 2020.

She answered by saying that she accepted President Biden as the Commander-in-Chief but witnessed a lot of irregularities during her time on the ground in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election.

Additionally, Durbin asked if Bondi is prepared to pardon those who've been prosecuted for "violent assaults on police officers" during the events of January 6th, 2021.

Her response:

"Senator, if confirmed as Attorney General of the United States, the pardons, of course, fall under the President. But if asked to look at those cases, I will look at each case and advise on a case-by-case basis, just as I did my entire career as a prosecutor."

President Trump granted clemency to nearly 1,600 Jan. 6 protestors on his first day in office.

Furthermore, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) asked Bondi if she would follow an order from President Trump even if it was deemed "unethical or illegal," and questioned her motives when giving responses in order to be confirmed by the committee.

Bondi responded:

"Senator, first, I need to clarify something that you said, that I have to sit up here and say these things. No, I don't. I sit up here and speak the truth. I'm not going to sit up here and say anything that I need to say to get confirmed by this body, I don't have to say anything. I will answer the questions to the best of my ability, and honestly."

Which Trump Cabinet Picks Have Been Confirmed?

Secretary of State - Marco Rubio

CIA Director - John Ratcliffe

Defense Secretary - Pete Hegseth

Homeland Security Secretary - Kristi Noem

Treasury Secretary - Scott Bessent

Transportation Secretary - Sean Duffy

Interior Secretary - Doug Burgum

EPA Director - Lee Zeldin

Energy Secretary - Chris Wright

Veterans Affairs Secretary - Doug Collins

House and Urban Development - Scott Turner