Senators will begin publicly deliberating President-elect Donald Trump's options to lead the Justice Department on Wednesday as former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi begins two days of confirmation hearings.

Bundy served as Florida's top law enforcement official for eight years, the first woman to hold the position, prioritizing issues such as curbing drug abuse, advocating against human trafficking and opposing the Obama administration's signature health care plan.

She is also a longtime Trump ally, serving on his opioid and substance abuse task force and later joining the defense team during his first Senate impeachment trial. Bondi also falsely claimed that Trump "won Pennsylvania" immediately after the 2020 presidential election and later worked for a pro-Trump policy firm on legal issues and as a lobbyist.

Now, Trump has selected her for one of the most high-profile posts in the incoming administration, if she is confirmed by the Senate.

Bondi takes over as Trump's pick for attorney general after his top pick, former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, was jeopardized by allegations of sexual misconduct, including sex with a minor. nomination and therefore withdrew from consideration (a charge Gates has denied). Republicans praised Bondi's appointment after weeks of confusion surrounding Gaetz's nomination, and there was no sign she would have trouble gaining support from Republican senators.

Democrats are expected to zero in on her time at a prominent lobbying firm, with Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin claiming in recent days that the Senate Judiciary Committee has not yet received a full report on her work with foreign clients.

Democratic senators are also expected to investigate her comments about the 2020 presidential election, days after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith released a report defending his investigation into Trump. Accused of trying to overturn the election. (Those charges were dismissed after Trump was elected due to the Justice Department’s policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.)

They may question Bondi's independence as the future leader of the Justice Department. Trump and his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, had a public feud over Sessions' decision to recuse himself from an investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump and allies have warned in campaign rhetoric that political opponents could or should face criminal charges, raising concerns about whether the Justice Department will follow through on that view.

When Trump announced Bondi as his pick for attorney general, he wrote that while "the partisan nature of the Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — not anymore." Pam will make the Justice Department rededicated Focus on the desired goals of fighting crime and keeping America safe” again. "

Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" last month that he would defer to Bondi on whether to investigate Smith and others and "I'm not going to direct her" whether to launch an investigation.