On February 5, 2025, a significant shift occurred in the U.S. Justice Department with the swearing-in of Pam Bondi as the new Attorney General. This event was marked by President Donald Trump's attendance at the ceremony, highlighting the close relationship between Bondi and the President.
Immediately after her swearing-in, Bondi issued a series of directives aimed at overhauling the Justice Department, aligning it more closely with the White House's priorities. One of the most notable actions was the creation of a "weaponization working group" tasked with scrutinizing the work of special counsel Jack Smith, who had charged Trump in two criminal cases. This group will also review what are described as "unethical prosecutions" related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and other cases that Trump and his allies claim were politically motivated[2][5].
Bondi's directives reflect the longstanding contention by Trump and his allies that the Justice Department under the Biden administration had become "weaponized" against conservatives. Despite the lack of evidence supporting this claim, Bondi has reiterated these assertions, stating at her confirmation hearing that the Justice Department had "targeted Donald Trump"[2][5].
In addition to the working group, Bondi signed 13 other directives designed to roll back Biden administration policies. These include orders to lift the moratorium on the federal death penalty and to end federal grants for jurisdictions that "unlawfully interfere with federal law enforcement." The Justice Department will provide quarterly reports to the White House on the progress of these reviews, focusing on instances where agency actions appear to have been driven by political objectives rather than the pursuit of justice[2][5].
Bondi's new policies also include strict guidelines for prosecutors, stating that they could face firings if they refuse to sign onto briefs or appear in court to argue on behalf of the administration. This move underscores the expectation that department lawyers will vigorously defend presidential policies and actions against legal challenges[2][5].
The appointment of Bondi, a longtime Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, has raised concerns among Democrats about her ability to lead the Justice Department impartially. Her close relationship with Trump and her defense of him during his first impeachment trial have fueled these concerns. Despite these, Bondi has maintained that politics will not influence her decision-making, though she has not ruled out potential investigations into Trump's adversaries[2][5].
This dramatic reshaping of the Justice Department under Bondi signals a significant shift in federal law enforcement priorities and aligns with the White House's efforts to exert greater control over the department. The changes are expected to have far-reaching implications for the administration of justice and the relationship between the Justice Department and the White House.
