Columbia Standard

Pam Bondi, a nominee for the role of Attorney General, has faced scrutiny over her record on civil rights enforcement. Critics argue that her history in this area is marked by inconsistency and unreliability. The position of Attorney General requires the enforcement of several federal civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

During the first Trump Administration, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division saw a significant reduction in activity. It investigated 60 percent fewer cases than during the Obama Administration and 50 percent fewer than under Bush. Additionally, there was a notable restriction on using consent decrees.

Pam Bondi's statements have raised questions about her commitment to civil rights. On reproductive rights, she has claimed that most women undergo abortions due to pressure and criticized contraception access protections. Regarding LGBTQ+ rights, despite claiming to be an ally, she has equated same-sex adoption to "significant public harm," supported Florida's gay adoption ban, praised the "Don't Say Gay" law, compared LGBTQ+ identity to "bringing a heroin needle to school," and opposed same-sex marriage.

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, commented: "All Americans deserve an Attorney General who will unequivocally defend their civil rights and liberties. Pam Bondi must commit to doing so and clear up her record of inconsistency and unreliability on fundamental civil rights."