NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the country’s top law enforcement officer, was interrogated by senators on both sides of the aisle Wednesday. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the hearing for the attorney general nominee.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
KEY TERMS
attorney general = In the United States, the attorney general is the top law enforcement officer and heads agencies like the FBI as well as manages all federal prosecutors.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who Pam Bondi, and what is her background?
- Where was Bondi already the top law enforcement officer?
- What were some of Bondi's responses to Democratic questioning?
- Why did many Democrats express concerns about weaponizing the Justice Department under Trump's administration?
- How did Republicans in the Senate respond to worries of weaponizing the Justice Department?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What do you think would be the most effective laws and regulations that would prevent presidents or their political allies from using the Justice Department to target political opponents?
Media literacy: If you were a reporter and could ask one of President Trump's cabinet choices just one question, what would you ask?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Students can follow along here for more on President Trump's cabinet confirmation hearings. Which cabinet appointment do you think is most important? Which do you think will lead to the most dramatic change in the U.S?
You can also watch one of the summaries below.
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