Trump Attorney General Pick Questioned About Weaponization of Justice Department
Ask students: Where was Bondi already the top law enforcement officer? What were some of Bondi's responses to Democratic questioning?
Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the country’s top law enforcement officer, was interrogated by senators on both sides of the aisle Wednesday. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the hearing for the attorney general nominee.
View the transcript of the story.
Key Term
Attorney General - In the United States, the attorney general is the top law enforcement officer, heads agencies like the FBI, and manages all federal prosecutors.
Discussion Questions
- Who is Pam Bondi, and what is her background?
- Where was Bondi already the top law enforcement officer?
- What were some of Bondi's responses to Democratic questioning?
- Why did many Democrats express concerns about weaponizing the Justice Department under Trump's administration?
- How did Republicans in the Senate respond to worries of weaponizing the Justice Department?
Focus Questions
What do you think would be the most effective laws and regulations that would prevent presidents or their political allies from using the Justice Department to target political opponents?
Media literacy: If you were a reporter and could ask one of President Trump's cabinet choices just one question, what would you ask?
Extension Activity
Students can follow along here for more on President Trump's cabinet confirmation hearings. Which cabinet appointment do you think is most important? Which do you think will lead to the most dramatic change in the U.S?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
Advertisement
