Republican Senator on DOJ political interference: ‘I don’t think we know that one way or the other’

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said he doesn’t know “one way or another” if President-elect Trump and his new Department of Justice (DOJ) pick, Pam Bondi, will have political interference over the non-partisan department.

Lankford appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, where host Dana Bash asked him if the DOJ will remain free from political interference or pressure from Trump.

“I don’t think we know that one way or the other,” Lankford said.

The Oklahoma Republican noted that Trump has expressed that he wants people loyal to him.

Bondi was Trump’s second pick for attorney general. He first chose former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), but he later withdrew his nomination after a sexual misconduct controversy.

She served as a senior advisor on Trump’s first impeachment defense team and is now an attorney for Ballard Partners, which was founded by Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard, the former 2016 chair of Trump Victory.

Bondi served as attorney general of Florida from 2011 to 2019.

There’s concern over Trump’s choice for attorney general that the nominee will turn the department into a legal powerhouse granting his wishes.

Lankford argued that whoever the Senate confirms isn’t Trump’s lawyer; they're “America’s lawyer.” He noted that the president chooses someone for the position who is “heading the same direction they are.”

“Every single U.S. attorney around the country works for them and with them. So, it is very important that we get this role right, and that they’re actually focused on diminishing crime in America and making sure we’re getting good prosecutions,” he said.