Attorney General Pam Bondi got into a heated exchange with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), accusing him of “lying” about his military record when asked about the lobbying activities of her former firm, Ballard Partners.
The back-and-forth took place during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with Bondi on Tuesday.
“In the merger that took place involving American Express GBT [Global Business Travel], I understand that Brian Ballard, longtime backer and head of the law firm where you worked, was instrumental in lobbying the Justice Department to drop that lawsuit. … What conversations did you have with Mr. Ballard?” Blumenthal asked.
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That prompted an indignant response from Bondi, who immediately pivoted to accusing Blumenthal of lying about his military record.
“Sen. Blumenthal, I cannot believe that you would accuse me of impropriety when you lied about your military service. You lied, you admitted you lied to be elected a U.S. senator,” she said, speaking over Blumenthal.
“How dare you? I’m a career prosecutor. Don’t you ever challenge my integrity,” she said. “Do not question my ability to be fair and impartial as attorney general, and anything [about] my former firm Ballard Partners.”
Blumenthal acknowledged in 2010 he had “misspoken” about claiming he served in Vietnam.
He served in the Marine Corps Reserve during the war but never served in Vietnam.