Bondi hearing live updates: Bondi suggests Jack Smith's conduct is 'horrible'

Durbin said he had concerns about Bondi's work for Trump in his attempts to cast doubt on his 2020 election loss.

"You repeatedly described investigations and prosecutions of Mr. Trump, Trump as a witch hunt, and you have echoed his calls for investigating and prosecuting his political opponents. This flies in the face of evidence," he said.

Durbin also as said he had concerns about Bondi's controversial move to not investigate fraud claims against Trump University in 2016 when she was Florida's attorney general.

"I also have questions whether you will focus on the needs of the American people rather than the wealthy special interests," he said.

In his prepared opening statement, top committee Democrat Dick Durbin will tell Bondi, "Ms. Bondi, you have many years of experience in law enforcement, including nearly a decade of service as attorney general in one of the largest states in the nation. But I need to know you would tell President Trump 'No' if you are faced with a choice between your oath to the Constitution and your loyalty to Mr. Trump."

"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore," Trump wrote in his announcement of Bondi for attorney general.

Pam Bondi has developed a reputation as one of President-elect Donald Trump's most loyal defenders -- a vocal political and legal advocate who represented Trump during his first impeachment, boosted his efforts to sow doubts about his 2020 election loss, and stood by him during his New York criminal trial. Read more about her background here.