Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs New U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has revealed that on her first day in the job, she removed portraits of former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and her predecessor at the Department of Justice, Merrick Garland, from the agency’s building.Newsweek contacted Bondi for further comment via the Department of Justice on Sunday.Why It MattersBondi, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, who was part of the Republican’s impeachment defense team in 2020, was confirmed by the Senate as attorney general earlier this month. She previously served as the attorney general for Florida.
Pam Bondi participates in a panel discussion with Senator Ted Cruz on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Pam Bondi participates in a panel discussion with Senator Ted Cruz on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
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What To KnowSpeaking on the Saturday debut of Lara Trump’s Fox News show My View with Lara Trump, Bondi told the president’s daughter-in-law that she noticed the paintings mounted on the wall on the seventh floor of the national security division.”I look on the wall and see President Biden, Kamala Harris, and Merrick Garland’s painting still hanging.”Trump quipped: “Someone didn’t tell them there’s a new president.””I did,” replied Bondi, explaining that she “personally” took the three portraits down.Bondi said a staff member explained that “maintenance is really slow here.” She joked it took her just 30 seconds to remove them.Bondi was then quizzed about her short- and long-term goals over the next four years.”On day one, shortly after I was sworn in, I walked over and signed 14 executive orders basically saying we are returning the Department of Justice to its core function—fighting violent crime.”Bondi also took the opportunity to praise Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce government spending, calling them “remarkable.””The waste, the fraud, the abuse from within the Justice Department, doling out billions is going to stop,” she said.She added that she planned to enforce stricter measures against sanctuary cities for undocumented migrants.During their discussion, Trump also asked Bondi what she hoped her legacy as attorney general would be.”Helping people and hopefully saving lives,” Bondi responded.”I think we can hopefully save a lot of lives and just make America safe again.”White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also made appearances on the show.What Happens NextAmong other moves, Bondi has hinted that she may release late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s client list and pursue a lawsuit filed against New York officials for allegedly failing to enforce federal immigration laws.Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact [email protected]
