Democrat Senator Shows Rare Openness to Trump’s Next Attorney General Pick
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, signaled on Sunday that he is not automatically opposed to supporting President Trump’s upcoming nominee for attorney general.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Kaine acknowledged the president’s strong mandate to assemble his executive team after voters delivered a decisive victory.
Kaine’s Balanced Stance with a Cautionary Note
Kaine made his position clear: “I never start off as an automatic no. We’ll see who the president proposes.”
He added that he would only vote against a nominee if they clearly lacked qualifications or character, emphasizing respect for the election outcome and the need for effective leadership at the Department of Justice.
This comes after President Trump moved swiftly to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was dismissed following reports she had compromised her independence.
With Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche now serving in an acting capacity, the administration is expected to put forward a strong new choice soon.
Lesson from Bondi’s Tenure and Path Forward
Kaine warned the next nominee to learn from Bondi’s experience, stating: “You can either go in as an attorney general and stand up for the rule of law, and you may make [Donald Trump] mad. Or you can go in and try to just do everything the president wants, and you’re going to make him mad.”
He further noted that Bondi “sold out her own integrity” and “couldn’t even look at herself in the mirror,” adding: “That should be a lesson to whoever is the next nominee for AG. Be the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, and don’t let the president cause you to trim your conscience or become a toady.”
Potential contenders include figures like EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Harmeet Dhillon, Jeanine Pirro, and Sen. Eric Schmitt, all of whom could bring fresh energy to restoring law and order under Trump’s leadership.
Kaine’s willingness to consider a yes vote stands in contrast to typical partisan resistance and could help ensure a qualified, decisive attorney general advances quickly to support the administration’s agenda.
