In his opening remarks, the Republican chairman of the Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley Describing the Justice Department as fragmented by politicization, he said Pam Bundy is the right choice to reverse this trend.

He then launched an attack on various investigations, some dating back years, that Republicans claim are unconstitutional scandals. This includes investigating the relationship between Donald TrumpThe 2016 campaign and Russia and the former special counsel Jack SmithTrying to sue Trump Joe Biden.

“The Department of Justice is influenced by political decisions and its leaders refuse to acknowledge that reality,” Grassley said.

He focused on the investigation into Trump's possession of classified documents, which Smith took over after FBI agents raided the former president's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022:

And then we talk about special counsel Jack Smith and his law practice. The FBI conducted an unprecedented raid on Trump's home, including agents even searching the former first lady's clothing drawers. In fact, as my oversight reveals, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden certainly did not receive the same treatment from the administration regarding their records.

Grassley concluded:

Ms. Bondi, if you are confirmed, the actions you take to change departmental policy must be motivated by accountability so that the behavior I have just described does not happen again. The only way to achieve this is through transparency from Congress and the American people.

Hugo Lowell

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is scrutinizing Pam Bondi's resume as a prosecutor as her attorney general confirmation hearing begins.

The hearing room was largely full, but there were some empty seats, reflecting the fact that Bondi is one of Trump's least controversial nominees and has not attracted the same outsized interest in Trump's defense secretary nominee Peter Heggs yesterday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hammered the gavel at the confirmation hearing for Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, with Republican Chairman Chuck Grassley delivering his opening remarks.

Next we'll hear opening remarks from senior members of the Democratic Party Dick DurbinEarlier today, he told CNN that when it's his turn to question Bondi, he will try to decipher her take on Trump's denial of his 2020 election defeat:

I would ask her some basic questions about Magga doctrine. For example, did Trump win or lose the 2020 election? As his attorney, she said he didn't lose, but I don't think that was the case. Did she learn anything from that experience? Is she willing to tell us that he lost that election? Some questions need to be asked and answered under oath.

Donald Trumpnominee for attorney general Pam Bundy She is about to appear on the first day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The former Florida attorney general expressed support for Trump's baseless claims that fraud was the reason he lost re-election in 2020. The president-elect nominated her to lead the Justice Department, after his previous top choice was a former congressman. Matt Gatesquit amid reports of sexual misconduct against him.

Bondi will answer more questions from senators tomorrow. Please follow us for live coverage of today's hearing.

Jonny Ernst He served in combat in Iraq as a National Guardsman and now represents Iowa in the Senate. The Republican boycotted the former Fox News host early on Peter Heggswas nominated to lead the Pentagon because he publicly stated that women should not serve in military combat roles.

Hegseth reiterated this stance during her confirmation hearing yesterday, and in a statement released last night, Ernst confirmed she would be voting for him:

After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense. Our next Commander-in-Chief selected Pete Hegseth for this position, and following our conversations, hearing input from Iowans, and fulfilling my duties as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense. When I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal combat force and ask him to fulfill his promise to audit the Pentagon to ensure opportunities for women in combat while maintaining high standards and selecting a Senior officers to address issues and prevent sexual assault within the ranks.

Democrats at the hearing sought to turn lawmakers' attention to sexual assault accusations against Hegseth, which he denies, as well as stories of his drinking and financial mismanagement of two veterans charities. None of the reports appeared to sway Republicans, and Ernst's support was widely seen as giving him the votes he needed to win Senate confirmation.

Here’s a recap of yesterday’s hearing:

Good morning, American Politics Blog readers. a battery Donald TrumpCabinet nominees will go before senators today, including South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Leading Department of Homeland Security, Senator Marco Rubio Secretaries of State, former members of Congress, and intelligence officials John Ratcliffe As director of the CIA. But the biggest story of the day will be the former Florida Attorney General Pam BundyBy leading the Justice Department confirmation hearings, she could make good on Trump's promise of retaliation against his political opponents. Bondi has expressed support for Trump's baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 election, and you can expect Democratic senators to demand answers on whether she will bring her election denials to justice if her election denialism is proven. department.

At the same time, it seems Peter HeggsThe former Fox News host Trump nominated to be defense secretary won the support of a key Republican senator during a tense confirmation hearing yesterday. Iowa's Jonny Ernst announced that she would support Hegseth after expressing hesitation over his comments against women in combat roles. Hegseth has been dogged by sexual assault allegations and reports of alcoholism and financial mismanagement, but Ernst's support is seen as an important step in winning over other Republicans wary of placing him in the Pentagon.

Here's what else happened today:

• Joe Biden Will deliver his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m.

• inflationThe politically damaging economic trend Trump has vowed to reverse came in slightly higher than expected in December, according to consumer price data just released by the Labor Department.

• dangerous wind It is expected to hit fire-stricken parts of Southern California again and could spark new fires. Follow our live blog for more information.