Bondi was confirmed by a vote of 54-46, and will now take the reins at the Justice Department at a moment when it is facing questions about the risk of political influence at the department.

Pam Bondi becomes the next attorney general at a pivotal moment for the Justice Department, as the second Trump administration starts with sweeping government actions and personnel moves that already have sparked numerous legal challenges and controversies.

Pam Bondi has been sworn in as attorney general. She's taking charge of the Justice Department as it braces for upheaval with President Donald Trump looking to exert his will over an agency that's long provoked his ire.