Recently, Senate Democrats have placed a hold on President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, creating uncertainty regarding the timing of the confirmation vote. Conservative commentators on social media have suggested that this action was a reaction born out of panic following Bondi’s confirmation hearing, during which she effectively countered congressional Democrats as they questioned her before the Senate.
A clip from the hearing has gained significant attention on X, featuring Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) pressing Bondi on several matters, including concerns about former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) being under investigation. Schiff remarked, “He has called for it publicly. You are aware of that, aren’t you?” Bondi responded, “No one has asked me to investigate Liz,” while questioning why Democrats are “so worried” about Cheney.
As Schiff persisted, Bondi shifted the focus, asserting, “You know what we should be worried about? The crime rate in California is currently soaring. Your robberies are 87% higher than the national average.” As Schiff continued to speak over her, she declared, “That’s what I want to concentrate on, Senator, if I am confirmed as attorney general.”
Schiff then stated, “And what you are implying today with your non-answer is that you lack the independence to refuse the President. Therefore, let me pose a different question. It also necessitates that, if you are to be an effective attorney general, you must be able to convey hard truths to the President. So my inquiries now are, can you tell her truth to the President?”
“Let me begin with a straightforward truth that you could communicate to the President. Can you inform us? Can you tell him that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election? Can you affirm that? Do you possess the independence to state that you have the gravitas, the stature, the intestinal fortitude to declare, Donald Trump, you lost the 2020 election? Can you convey that to us here today?” Schiff continued to press.
The nominee replied assertively, refusing to allow the California Democrat to dominate the conversation. “Senator, what I can tell you is, I will never engage in political maneuvering. You are attempting to draw me into a trap. I will not engage in politics regarding any ongoing investigation, as you did by leaking your colleague Devin Nunes’ memo,” she stated, confronting Schiff about his behavior as he attempted to interrupt.
In another exchange, the two debated the issue of pardoning January 6 protestors, during which Schiff voiced doubts about the thoroughness of the review for each case. “I will examine every file I am requested to review,” Bondi asserted as Schiff interjected. “Of course, you won’t.” The nominee maintained that she would have sufficient staff to review the cases in a timely manner. Bondi then highlighted, “You were censured by Congress, Senator, for remarks just like this that are exceedingly reckless.”
Conservative commentator Nick Sortor responded to the video on X, announcing the hold on Bondi’s nomination. “JUST IN: Democrats have placed a HOLD on Pam Bondi’s nomination, postponing Bondi’s confirmation as Attorney General for a minimum of 7 days, according to Sen. Grassley,” he wrote, also mentioning how Bondi effectively countered Schiff. “Democrats are once again engaging in tactics to undermine the will of the American people, which was to provide Trump and his appointees a decisive mandate.”