U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi got into a heated exchange Tuesday with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., accusing him of lying about his military record after he questioned her about the lobbying activities of her former law firm.

The confrontation took place during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing when Blumenthal asked Bondi about a merger involving her former firm, Ballard Partners.

“In the merger that took place involving American Express GBT (Global Business Travel), I understand that Brian Ballard, a 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.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., clashed Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing in which she accused him of lying about his military record.  (Getty Images)

Blumenthal has previously said he “misspoke” about serving in Vietnam, saying in 2010 that some of his past remarks were inaccurate.

“On a few occasions, I have misspoken about my service, and I regret that and take full responsibility,” Blumenthal said at the time. He described those remarks as “absolutely unintentional” and said the mistake occurred only a few times out of “hundreds” of speeches he has given.

Blumenthal said he remains proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is sworn in before a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

“Unlike many of my peers, I chose to join the military and serve my country,” he said. “I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service.”