Tensions boiled over on Capitol Hill Tuesday when Attorney General Pam Bondi unleashed a fiery tirade at Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. What began as a pointed question about the Justice Department’s decision to drop an antitrust lawsuit quickly escalated into a stunning, on-the-record confrontation.
The hearing, originally convened to discuss broader issues of DOJ conduct, took a sharp turn when Blumenthal raised concerns about a merger involving American Express Global Business Travel and CWT. The deal had previously come under DOJ scrutiny, but the department dropped the suit in July, prompting questions from lawmakers—especially since the merger had been heavily lobbied for by Ballard Partners, a firm where Bondi worked before taking office.
“In the merger that took place involving American Express GBT, I understand that Brian Ballard – longtime backer and head of the law firm where you worked – was instrumental in lobbying the Justice Department to drop that lawsuit,” Blumenthal said. “It was dismissed, so it’s not subject to a court review. What conversations did you have with Mr. Ballard?”
That’s when the hearing took a turn.
Visibly incensed, Bondi fired back hard, not just rejecting the implication but launching a full-throated personal attack.
“Sen. Blumenthal, I cannot believe that you would accuse me of impropriety when you lied about your military service!” Bondi snapped, referencing the senator’s widely criticized claim years ago that he had served in Vietnam. Blumenthal served stateside in the Marine Corps Reserve during the war, but on multiple occasions implied publicly that he had been in Vietnam.
“You lied, you admitted you lied to be elected a U.S. senator! You lied! How dare you!” she continued. “I am a career prosecutor, don’t you ever challenge my integrity! I have abided by every ethics standard, do not question my ability to be fair and impartial as attorney general.”
The outburst stunned the room. Some senators looked visibly uncomfortable.
The antitrust case in question, initially brought under the Biden administration, had raised eyebrows among watchdog groups after being dropped. Critics have suggested the reversal could have been politically influenced, particularly given the high-powered lobbying effort from Ballard Partners, a firm known for its deep ties in Republican circles—and, notably, its previous employment of Bondi.
Blumenthal did not immediately respond to Bondi’s personal attack during the hearing. His office has also yet to issue a statement on the matter.
Watch the clip below:
