President Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi from her role as U.S. Attorney General, he confirmed in a Truth Social Post on Thursday, calling her a “Great American Patriot and loyal friend.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will step in to serve as acting Attorney General.
“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future,” Trump wrote. “Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General.”
Bondi is not the first member of Trump’s cabinet to leave. Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was removed from her post weeks ago and replaced by Markwayne Mullin.
Trump and Bondi’s relationship
Reports say Trump had grown frustrated with Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files and her leadership at the Justice Department.
During his second term, Trump has pushed Bondi to release more Epstein-related material and pursue investigations into his political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey, Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Critics have described those efforts as “weaponization” of the Justice Department, while supporters say the investigations are warranted.
Officials who spoke to The Times say Trump also complained about what he views as a lack of urgency in those cases.
The department has also faced turnover among U.S. attorneys. Several have stepped down or been removed after Bondi appointed them, with some remaining in their roles beyond the 120-day limit for interim appointments.
Federal law caps those appointments at 120 days, after which a court must extend the term or install a replacement.
Focus on the Epstein files
Much of the criticism surrounding Bondi and the department, however, centers on the Epstein files.
The Justice Department has released millions of documents tied to the convicted sex offender, but lawmakers say key materials are still missing.
Despite the reports, Trump and Bondi appeared together publicly Wednesday as they traveled to the Supreme Court for arguments in a case regarding birthright citizenship.
In a statement to The Times, Trump praised Bondi, calling her “a wonderful person, and she is doing a good job.”