WASHINGTON –

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, faced a contentious confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, with Democrats questioning her impartiality and Republicans defending her qualifications.

Excerpts from the hearing can be found in the video above

“I will fight every day to restore the trust and integrity of the Justice Department – ​​and each of its components,” Bondi said.

“Under my watch, the Justice Department’s partisan weaponization will disappear.”

Senate Republicans, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, supported Bondi’s nomination.

“Ms Bondi is highly qualified and of course we all know that change is urgently needed,” Grassley said.

Democrats expressed concerns about Bondi’s ability to remain independent of Trump given her longstanding alliance with Trump.

“You have no intention of prosecuting people on the grounds that they are political opponents?” said Senator Peter Welch of Vermont.

“No one is prosecuted or investigated because they are a political opponent,” Bondi responded.

Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii pressed Bondi on her previous comments about prosecuting investigators involved in cases against Trump. Bondi stated in a television interview that “the prosecutors are being prosecuted – the bad guys.”

“I’m just asking if you think Jack Smith is one of those people. How about Liz Cheney? How about Merrick Garland?” Hirono asked.

“Senator, I will not enter into hypotheticals. Nobody was judged in advance,” Bondi replied.

Bondi also addressed questions about the January 6, 2021 pardon of rioters convicted of violent crimes.

“I will review each case and advise on a case-by-case basis,” Bondi said.

Bondi declined to comment on whether she would enforce the TikTok ban, which is set to begin Sunday, as Trump has asked the Supreme Court to suspend the law’s effective date.

Bondi needs 50 votes to be confirmed in the Senate, where Republicans currently have the majority.