Democrats Sound Alarm Over Pam Bondi’s Leadership at the DOJ

Democratic lawmakers are expressing grave concerns about the state of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under Attorney General Pam Bondi, warning that the institutional damage caused by her leadership could take decades to repair. The criticism follows a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, during which Bondi clashed repeatedly with Democratic senators and refused to answer key oversight questions.

Senate Hearing Sparks Outcry

During Tuesday’s hearing, Bondi’s defensive and combative tone drew frustration from Democratic members of the committee. Lawmakers accused her of stonewalling legitimate inquiries into her management of the DOJ, which has seen sweeping changes since she assumed the role. More than 4,500 Justice Department employees have reportedly resigned or left during her tenure, and several long-standing investigative task forces have been disbanded. Critics allege that Bondi has redirected departmental resources toward politically motivated initiatives that align with former President Donald Trump’s agenda.

When pressed for answers about controversial decisions—such as the closure of a probe into Trump’s border czar Tom Homan and the forced resignation of a U.S. attorney in Virginia who declined to indict former FBI Director James Comey—Bondi refused to elaborate. Her refusal to provide transparency further intensified Democratic fears that the Justice Department is being politicized.

Schiff and Durbin Lead Criticism

California Senator Adam Schiff was among the most vocal critics following the hearing. “I do think the damage she’s doing to the department will take decades to recover from,” Schiff told The Hill on Wednesday. Schiff, who has long been a target of Trump’s political attacks for leading the 2019 impeachment inquiry, also said Bondi’s actions represented “slandering obstruction of oversight” and were “unprecedented” in modern government.

Schiff’s concerns were echoed by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s ranking Democrat. During his questioning, Durbin outlined a list of Bondi’s controversial decisions before condemning her leadership. “This is your legacy, Attorney General Bondi,” Durbin said during the hearing. “In eight short months, you’ve fundamentally transformed the Justice Department and left an enormous stain on American history. It will take decades to recover.”

Clashes Over National Guard and Political Loyalty

Tensions escalated when Durbin asked Bondi whether she had communicated with the White House about deploying the National Guard to certain cities. Bondi refused to answer, claiming the matter involved “internal conversations.” She then deflected by telling Durbin, “I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump,” drawing audible reactions from the chamber.

Throughout the hearing, Bondi repeatedly redirected questions to criticize Democratic lawmakers, often referencing Trump and past political disputes. Her exchanges with Schiff were particularly heated. When Schiff pressed her on the Homan investigation, Bondi retorted, “Will you apologize to Donald Trump for trying to impeach him?” The confrontation underscored the deep partisan divide surrounding her tenure at the DOJ.

Democrats Fear Long-Term Institutional Impact

Democratic senators argue that Bondi’s restructuring of the DOJ has weakened the department’s independence and credibility. The disbanding of investigative task forces, combined with high staff turnover, has raised concerns about the erosion of accountability mechanisms within the Justice Department.

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware described the hearing atmosphere as combative, telling CNN’s The Arena that it felt “more like a boxing ring” than a congressional oversight session. Coons and others worry that such hostility reflects a deeper institutional breakdown in how the Justice Department interacts with Congress.

Despite the heated exchanges, Schiff maintained that Democrats would continue pursuing “practical remedies” to restore transparency and rebuild the department’s integrity. However, he acknowledged that the road to recovery remains unclear and could extend well beyond Bondi’s tenure.