Pam Bondi's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was expected to be a contentious, partisan affair. It lived up to that billing.
It was the attorney general's first appearance at a congressional oversight hearing - and it was a timely one.
Two weeks ago, her justice department indicted former FBI Director James Comey, triggering an outcry from Democratic politicians.
Her testimony on Tuesday also came just a day after a group of former justice department employees released a letter accusing Bondi of helping to take a sledgehammer to longstanding work the department has done to protect communities and the rule of law.
Nerves were raw, and Bondi was clearly ready for a fight. Here are five takeaways from the hearing.
1) Bondi goes on the attack
Recent Trump administration officials, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and FBI Director Kash Patel, have relied on a clear playbook for testimony before hostile congressional committees: go on the attack early and often.
That strategy was on display throughout Bondi's testimony. When pressed on National Guard deployments, she said she wished Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and California Senator Alex Padilla loved their states as much as they hate Donald Trump.
When questioned about Jeffrey Epstein, she noted that several Democratic senators had taken money from deep-pocketed donors who had ties to the late convicted sex trafficker.
Bondi launched a series of pointed attacks on senators as they questioned her.
And when it was time for junior Vermont Senator Peter Welch to ask questions, he began by observing Bondi's penchant for personal attacks.
2) Lots of questions, few answers
When Bondi wasn't going on the attack, she frequently declined to comment on questions from both Democrats and Republicans.
She said she wouldn't discuss personnel matters when questioned about the spate of senior level justice department firings, including top FBI officials and a US lawyer who had recommended against the Comey indictment.
She wouldn't comment on ongoing investigations and legal proceedings – including the Comey case. She also wouldn't shed light on conversations she has had with the president or other White House aides.
When presented with a large photograph of her sitting at a table with the president the day after Trump had penned a Truth Social post calling for her to indict Comey, her only remark was that she loved the picture.
California Senator Adam Schiff voiced frustration, stating, This is supposed to be an oversight hearing where members of Congress can get serious answers to serious questions. Bondi retorted, I think you owe the president an apology for your entire career.
3) Bondi keen to focus on crime
Bondi appeared determined to focus on what she said was the Trump administration's goal of reducing crime in the US. She was quick to cite statistics about the administration's successes in the realm of crime-fighting.
Bondi asserted that they were returning to our core mission of fighting real crime, despite the Democrats' focus on other issues.
4) But Democrats focus on Epstein
Democratic senators seized on the justice department's handling of the Epstein investigation, pressing Bondi with questions that she mostly refused to answer.
Senators raised concerns about the lack of transparency relating to Epstein's relationships and potential investigations involving Trump. However, Bondi continued to deflect.
5) Republicans look back in anger
While Democrats focused on the current administration's practices, most Republican senators expressed bitterness about perceived past grievances – particularly under the Biden presidency.
With such a combative atmosphere, the hearing concluded, encapsulating a partisan struggle filled with accusations and political posturing.
