Bondi: I will be an independent Prosecutor General

Pamela Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, faced two days of questioning from U.S. senators. VOA's Katherine Gypson reports on the views of analysts and witnesses during the Senate confirmation hearing on her character and integrity to serve in one of the most important positions in the United States.

During a two-day hearing at the Capitol, Pamela Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, vowed to be impartial if confirmed by the Senate.

" Partisan divisions and the exploitation of justice for political ends will end. America will have a level playing field for all ," said Ms. Bondi.

She previously served as Florida's attorney general, as a lobbyist and was a longtime adviser to Mr. Trump.

" Eight years as attorney general of the third-largest state in the country is excellent preparation for the role of attorney general of the United States ," said Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Democratic senators are concerned that she will persecute Mr. Trump's political opponents.

"President-elect Trump has vowed not only to use the Justice Department to advance his political interests, but also to seek, as he himself has said, the punishment of the enemy within. I want to know if you will tell the president 'no' if you are asked to do something that is wrong, illegal, or unconstitutional," said Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.

Ms. Bondi did not rule out investigations into Mr. Trump's opponents. However, she assured senators that she would maintain an impartial stance.

" I wouldn't be working in a law firm, or as attorney general (in Florida), if someone asked me to do something wrong and I acted like I had an obligation to approve the request ," said Attorney General nominee Pamela Bondi.

An analyst told VOA that Ms. Bondi could be put in a difficult position as attorney general.

“ The Justice Department has historically maintained a kind of independence from the White House. Donald Trump did not value that independence. We know this from the relationship he wanted to have with former Attorney General Barr and others before him; we know this from the disappointment he felt when his attorneys general did not support him ,” says Claire Finkelstein of the University of Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, during the Senate hearing, witnesses spoke about Ms. Bondi's character.

“ A prosecutor’s job is to follow the evidence and the law without fear or favor. Pamela Bondi is a 20-year prosecutor who understands that. Even if she were to do something as attorney general of the United States that I disagree with, I trust that she will always uphold the law. There are some important issues where she and I completely agree, such as the need to stop the entry of the drug fentanyl, which has become by far the biggest killer in the ongoing opioid epidemic ,” said Dave Aronberg, a former Florida state legislator.

Another witness raised concerns that Ms. Bondi's experience as a corporate lobbyist could result in a conflict of interest.

“ Her client list is filled with controversial clients, some of whom will directly benefit from their former lobbyist being put in charge of the Justice Department. Over the past five years, she has represented 30 clients ranging from large corporations and contractors to a foreign government. During her time as Florida attorney general, a recent New York Times investigation found evidence that seemed to demonstrate her general propensity to help corporate allies and lobbyists ,” said Lisa Gilbert, president of the non-governmental organization Public Citizen.

If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Bondi would be the third woman to hold the position of Attorney General of the United States. /VOA