Attorney General Bondi clashes with Blumenthal in Senate hearing
Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp questioning during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on October 7, 2025, leading to a heated exchange with Senator Richard Blumenthal over ethics and past controversies. Bondi defended her integrity by referencing Blumenthal's 2010 military service scandal. The confrontation highlighted tensions around her Justice Department leadership.
The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, saw Attorney General Pam Bondi under scrutiny for her leadership of the Justice Department. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) initiated the tension by questioning Bondi about a recent merger involving American Express GBT, a firm connected to Ballard Partners, where Bondi had previously worked. Blumenthal noted that Brian Ballard, the firm's head and a longtime backer of Bondi, had lobbied the Justice Department to drop a related lawsuit, which was subsequently dismissed without court review.
"In the merger that took place involving American Express GBT [Global Business Travel], I understand that Brian Ballard, longtime backer and head of the law firm where you worked, was instrumental in lobbying the Justice Department to drop that lawsuit," Blumenthal said. "It was dismissed, so it’s not subject to a court review. What conversations did you have with Mr. Ballard?"
Bondi responded forcefully, invoking a 2010 scandal in which Blumenthal had implied he was a Vietnam veteran during his Senate campaign, despite receiving deferments and serving only in the Marine Reserve stateside without deployment. "Sen. Blumenthal, I cannot believe that you would accuse me of impropriety when you lied about your military service. You lied, you admitted you lied to be elected a U.S. Senator," she retorted. As Blumenthal tried to interject, Bondi continued: "Don’t you ever challenge my integrity. I have abided by every ethics standard. Do not question my ability to be fair and impartial as Attorney General."
Blumenthal concluded the exchange by saying, "You’ll answer that question for another of my colleagues."
The two clashed again when Blumenthal inquired about a dinner Bondi had with President Donald Trump. Bondi refused to disclose details, stating, "Senator, I am not going to discuss any conversations I have or have not had with the President of the United States. You’re an attorney, you have a law degree, and you know that I am not going to do that." She then quoted Blumenthal from a prior statement: "‘I will keep fighting to ensure that law enforcement and the judicial process move forward without political interference. No one is above the law, not even the president.’ That’s a quote from you, Senator Blumenthal."
The hearing underscored ongoing partisan divides over the Justice Department's independence under Bondi's tenure.