The confirmation hearing of Pam Bondi for attorney general was more alarming and foreboding than I had expected. In advance, I thought she would mount enough of a defense of Justice Department independence and the rule of law to provide a fig leaf of cover for her true aims and those of Donald Trump,

Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, will face sharp questioning from Democratic senators at a confirmation hearing expected to center on concerns the Republican president-elect will look to use the Justice Department's powers to seek retribution against his adversaries.