President-elect selected Pam Bondi to head his incoming Department of Justice, and her Senate confirmation hearing took place this week. And it was certainly not uneventful.

According to the Washington Examiner, Bondi sparred with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) over what many believe to be an old feud with apparent unsettled grievances between the two. 

Just five years ago, during President Donald Trump's first impeachment hearing when Bondi was a personal defense attorney for the incoming president, Schiff was one of the appointed impeachment managers.

The two exchanged barbs back then during what was a tension-filled war between two sides.

What did they say?

During Bondi's confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, many new subjects were brought up that caused sparks to fly between the two, including Jan. 6 rioters, the targeting of political opponents, and even the legitimacy of the results of the 2020 election.

At one point, Schiff pressed Bondi on whether or not she would pursue charges against former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who recently resigned in the days before Trump assumes office.

"You seem reluctant to answer a simple question," Schiff said to Bondi, sparking an immediate reply.

"I haven't seen the file. I haven't seen the investigation. I haven't looked at anything," Bondi shot back. "It would be irresponsible of me to make a commitment regarding anything — you're a long-practicing attorney — without looking at a file."

Why is Adam Schiff hyper fixated as to whether Pam Bondi plans to open the books on Jack Smith? pic.twitter.com/fB5Infj4fI

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 15, 2025

The outlet noted:

Pressed if Liz Cheney should likewise be investigated for the former Wyoming Republican congresswoman’s role on the House Jan. 6 Committee, Bondi pivoted the conversation to crime in Schiff’s home state. Trump has suggested Cheney should be jailed for her involvement.

"No one has asked me to investigate," Bondi responded. "You know what we should be worried about? The crime rate in California right now is through the roof. … That’s what I want to be focused on, senator, if I’m confirmed as attorney general."

Not playing the "gotcha" game

Bondi felt that Schiff was trying to play the age-old political "gotcha" game with some of his questions, and Bondi wasn't entertaining it, making it clear she was on to his tactics.

"I will never play politics. You're trying to engage me in a 'gotcha.' I won’t do it," Bondi said. "I won’t play politics with any ongoing investigation, like you did leaking your colleague Devin Nunes’ memo."

The hearing was one of many that will likely generate newsworthy headlines over the coming weeks.