Democratic senator says he is currently a no on Bondi: ‘I am trying to be fair’
Democratic Senator Chris Coons (Del.) said after Wednesday’s hearing on President-elect Trump’s attorney general pick Pam Bondi he will currently vote no, but he wants “to be fair.”
Coons joined CNN’s “The Source” Wednesday, where he was asked about the questions posed to Bondi earlier in the day. He said Bondi answered his first two questions sufficiently, but the third response made him question her candidacy.
“It was the third question, where I said, ‘What would you do if ordered to do something illegal or unethical?’” Coons said. “She said, ‘That’s a hypothetical I won’t answer it.’”
Coons said he had to tell Bondi that it’s not hypothetical because Trump may ask her to do that.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked the senator if Bondi’s response to that question meant he wouldn’t vote in favor of her confirmation.
“I’m a no right now, but … I’m going to go back and review the transcript,” he replied. “I am trying to be fair, and I’m trying to give her a reasonable shot at earning my vote, but I was not satisfied by the end of today’s hearing.”
Bondi was grilled by Senators on Wednesday as she faced the test to become Trump’s attorney general. She was the second choice, a more traditional pick, after former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his name from consideration amid a scathing report.
There’s concern among Democrats that whoever Trump chose to lead the Justice Department, they would turn the agency into a branch to retaliate against the president-elect’s enemies.
Democrats used their time Wednesday to question Bondi over what they see as the biggest issue: whether she will push back on Trump’s requests to target his political foes.
Bondi slammed the multiple investigations into Trump as evidence that the Justice Department has been weaponized for political gain, though Democrats vow that was never the case.
Coons said on CNN that it is a “key guardrail” that the Department of Justice and the FBI remain independent. He said the way Bondi did not explicitly answer his third question raises concerns.
“For me, that’s a critical question, will she stand up if the situation calls on it and prove the independence of the Department of Justice is more important than loyalty to a candidate she strongly supported?” Coons said.
Topics
-
Commanders' Zane Gonzalez on his OCD after game-winning kick: 'It’s who I am, and it’s what I go through'
Gonzalez's 37-yard field goal propelled the Commanders past the Buccaneers and into the Divisional Round against the Lions.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Pope Francis, in new book, downplays health issues: 'I am well'
Pope Francis, who turned 88 last month and asked an aide to read a major speech last week due to a cold, says in a new book that he feels healthy and has no plans to resign as leader of the global ...NBC News - 1d -
Padilla says he is a 'no' on Laken Riley Act 'as currently written'
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said Sunday he is “a no” on the Laken Riley Act “as currently written.” “As currently written, I'm a no because it opens the doors for people simply being charged ...The Hill - 3d -
Democratic senator: Alito has made impropriety the norm
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Thursday blasted conservative Justice Samuel Alito for having a conversation with President-elect Trump amidst ...The Hill - 6d -
More Senate Democrats say they'll vote to advance Laken Riley Act
More Senate Democrats have indicated they plan to vote to advance the Laken Riley Act in a procedural vote this Friday. The bill — which is named for the Georgia nursing student who was killed by ...The Hill - Jan. 8 -
Biden praises Trudeau: 'I am proud to call him my friend'
President Biden praised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, recounting a variety of issues the leaders worked on together over the years and emphasizing he is “proud to call him my friend.” ...The Hill - Jan. 7 -
Derek Carr says he won't take a pay cut to remain with Saints: 'Especially with what I put on tape'
Questions remain about Carr's futureCBS Sports - Jan. 7 -
Gillibrand to head Senate Democrats’ campaign arm
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) has been tapped by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, for ...The Hill - Jan. 6 -
Thune says Trump's picks deserve a fair confirmation process
When asked whether Senate Republicans would oppose some of President-elect Donald Trump's picks for his Cabinet and second term, new Senate Majority Leader John Thune tells "Face the Nation with ...CBS News - Jan. 3 -
Mayorkas: 'Not fair' to say New Orleans ignored bulletin on risks of attacks by drivers
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas argued it is “not fair” to say that the city of New Orleans ignored the bulletin on the risks of attacks by drivers plowing cars into crowds of ...The Hill - Jan. 3
More from The Hill
-
Ron Johnson expresses concern Israel 'coerced' into ceasefire agreement
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed concern Wednesday that Israel was “coerced” into its ceasefire agreement with Palestinian militant group Hamas. “I'm hoping they weren't coerced into a deal ...The Hill - 4h -
Biden warns of oligarchy forming in US during White House farewell speech
President Biden used his farewell address from the Oval Office on Wednesday to warn Americans of an oligarchy taking shape in the U.S. while issuing warnings of other threats to the nation as he ...The Hill - 5h -
Newsom, Cruz spar over executive order barring predatory real estate offers amid fires
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sparred over a California executive order barring predatory real estate offers amid recent wildfires. “Today, I signed an executive order ...The Hill - 5h -
Trump says he won’t hire anyone associated with Haley, Cheneys, other GOP critics
President-elect Trump on Wednesday said he would not consider individuals affiliated with a host of Republican rivals and critics for jobs in his incoming administration, singling out former Vice ...The Hill - 6h -
Biden calls for constitutional amendment on presidential immunity
President Biden on Wednesday said there should be an amendment to the Constitution that makes clear presidents are not immune from crimes committed in office, using his farewell address in part to ...The Hill - 6h
More in Politics
-
In final address, Biden warns of "tech industrial complex," lists threats to U.S.
President Biden delivered his fifth and final address from the Oval Office five days before the end of his single term in office.CBS News - 1h -
Ron Johnson expresses concern Israel 'coerced' into ceasefire agreement
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed concern Wednesday that Israel was “coerced” into its ceasefire agreement with Palestinian militant group Hamas. “I'm hoping they weren't coerced into a deal ...The Hill - 4h -
Biden argues 'oligarchy,' social media are threats to democracy in farewell address
President Joe Biden's farewell address on Wednesday came with a series of warnings for the future of the country, including a rising “oligarchy taking shape” that he said threatens American democracy.NBC News - 5h -
Biden warns of oligarchy forming in US during White House farewell speech
President Biden used his farewell address from the Oval Office on Wednesday to warn Americans of an oligarchy taking shape in the U.S. while issuing warnings of other threats to the nation as he ...The Hill - 5h -
Newsom, Cruz spar over executive order barring predatory real estate offers amid fires
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sparred over a California executive order barring predatory real estate offers amid recent wildfires. “Today, I signed an executive order ...The Hill - 5h