Washington, DC Newsroom, January 15, 2025 / 4:15 p.m

President-elect Donald Trump’s presumptive nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, vowed to stop the government’s “weaponization” of Catholics, pro-life activists and concerned parents during her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

During her Jan. 15 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Bondi — the former Florida attorney general — called the FBI’s Richmond memo targeting Catholics the government’s “ultimate weapon.”

The January 2023 memo detailed an investigation into so-called “radical traditionalist” Catholics and possible ties to the “far-right white nationalist movement.” It discussed the possibility of “tripwire or source development” in parishes offering Latin Masses and in online Catholic communities that the agency deemed “radical-traditionalist.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, asked Bondi if she would put an end to “abuses” like this memo, which he called an “incredible attack on Americans’ First Amendment rights.”

“Of course,” Bondi said, adding: “I think you’re talking about the ultimate weaponization (of the government).”

When Hawley asked whether Bondi would investigate the federal agents involved, she said she would “personally read this memo” and talk about it with Kash Patel, the Trump nominee to lead the FBI.

“I think this is something we can all agree on, on both sides,” Bondi added. “This shouldn’t be happening in the United States of America, and (we should) work together on it.”

Bondi also said the FBI’s use of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a source for extremist groups “will be one of the first things we’ll look at as well.” The FBI relied on the SPLC’s designations of “radical traditionalist” Catholics in drafting the memo.

Hawley also cited the prosecution of pro-life protesters under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, some of whom face several years in prison. Bondi promised to ensure that the Justice Department was not used to target abortion protesters or people of any religious faith.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, asked Bondi if she would end “weaponizing the government,” such as targeting “Catholics trying to practice their faith, … parents showing up to school board meetings, (and) People showing up to engage in peaceful (protests) outside of abortion clinics.”

“The persecution of parents at a school board meeting must stop,” Bondi said, adding that investigations “for practicing your religion” and “sending informants into Catholic churches” must also stop.

“It will stop – must stop,” Bondi said.

Trump is scheduled to take office on Monday, January 20th. He has criticized the FBI for its investigations of Catholics and promised to release pro-life activists jailed under the FACE Act.