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

Bondi, who boosted Trump's false claims of 2020 election fraud, sidestepped in her answer to Durbin's question on whether Trump lost the 2020 election.

"I accept, of course, that Joe Biden is president of the United States. But what I can tell you is what I saw firsthand when I went to Pennsylvania as an advocate for the campaign," Bondi said.

Bondi said she "saw many things there," but did not specify what she referred to as "issues with election integrity in our country."

"I think that question deserved a yes or no," Durbin replied, "And I think the length of your answer is an indication that you weren't prepared to answer 'yes.'"

Durbin asked Bondi if she thinks those convicted of violent assaults on police officers on Jan. 6 should be pardoned.

Bondi said that while pardons fall under the purview of the president, "if asked to look at those cases, I will look at each case and advise on a case by case basis."

She continued to dodge questions about her thoughts on those convictions but said, "I condemn any violence against any law enforcement member in this country."

After being sworn in, Bondi, in her opening statement, laid out her experience as a prosecutor in Florida, particularly her two terms as the state's attorney general.

She noted her work on taking on drug cartels and other gangs.

"If confirmed, I will do everything in my power, and it would be my duty, to make America safe again," she said.

Bondi said she wanted to fight the "partisanship and weaponization" in the Justice Department and work with all senators and law enforcement agencies across the country.

"The partisanship, the weaponization will be gone. America will have one tier of justice for all," she said.

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.