Austin News

February 13, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed support for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel in their efforts to rebuild trust in the justice system. He emphasized the need to address what he described as the politicization and weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during President Biden's administration.

Cornyn highlighted President Trump's campaign promise to end these issues within the DOJ and FBI. He stated, "One of President Trump’s most important pledges during the campaign was to end the politicalization and the weaponization of the Department of Justice, including the FBI."

The senator acknowledged that Bondi and Patel face significant challenges ahead: "Attorney General Bondi and soon-to-be Director Patel are going to have a huge task ahead of them."

Cornyn outlined his expectations for both agencies, aiming for a return to nonpartisan operations: "My goal for the Department of Justice and the FBI is to restore the nonpartisan functioning of our country’s chief law enforcement agencies. The American people deserve an FBI and a Department of Justice that they can trust."

He criticized previous leadership under Merrick Garland, stating that Bondi has an opportunity to change course: “President Trump’s Attorney General will have a chance to turn the page from Merrick Garland’s failures by reversing the partisan hackery that has been a part and parcel of President Biden’s Department of Justice.”

Regarding Bondi's role, Cornyn said, “Pam Bondi can serve President Trump and the nation well by enforcing the law that’s on the books and ending the weaponization of political enemies.”

Cornyn also mentioned Patel's potential impact on accountability within the FBI: “Similarly, Kash Patel has an opportunity to turn the page from the abuses and lack of accountability that we’ve seen at the FBI in recent years."

He concluded with optimism about collaborating with both officials: "So, I look forward to working with Ms. Bondi and Mr. Patel in their noble endeavor to restore trust in our nation’s justice system and, by doing so, to restore trust in our country's justice system."