On her first day as U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi removed portraits of former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her predecessor Merrick Garland from the Department of Justice building. Bondi, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, who previously served as the attorney general of Florida, was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. This move has sparked interest in why Bondi chose to remove these specific portraits and what it means for her tenure as attorney general.
Speaking on Lara Trump’s Fox News show, Bondi explained that she noticed the paintings of Biden, Harris, and Garland still hanging on the seventh floor of the national security division. She shared that she personally took down the portraits, joking that it only took her 30 seconds to do so. Bondi emphasized her focus on returning the Department of Justice to its core function of fighting violent crime, highlighting initial executive orders she signed on her first day in office. She also commended Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce government spending and expressed her plans to enforce stricter measures against sanctuary cities for undocumented migrants.
When asked about her goals for her term as attorney general, Bondi emphasized her commitment to helping people and saving lives by making America safe again. She expressed her intention to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse within the Justice Department and to hold sanctuary cities more accountable for their enforcement of immigration laws. Bondi also hinted at potential future actions, such as releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s client list and pursuing a lawsuit against New York officials for allegedly failing to enforce federal immigration laws. This has raised speculation about Bondi’s priorities and strategies for her time in office.
Bondi’s decision to remove the portraits of Biden, Harris, and Garland can be seen as symbolic of a shift in leadership and priorities within the Department of Justice under her tenure. As a vocal supporter of President Trump and a critic of liberal policies, Bondi’s actions may reflect a desire to align the agency more closely with conservative principles and values. Her focus on fighting violent crime and enforcing immigration laws suggests a tough-on-crime approach to law enforcement that may depart from the previous administration’s policies.
Overall, Bondi’s early actions as U.S. Attorney General signal a significant departure from the previous administration’s approach to law enforcement and policy priorities. Her emphasis on fighting violent crime, reducing government waste, and enforcing immigration laws reflects a more conservative agenda that aims to prioritize public safety and national security. It remains to be seen how Bondi’s tenure will unfold and what impact her policies and decisions will have on the Department of Justice and the broader legal landscape in the United States.
