Trump Removes Attorney General Pam Bondi
US President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime ally and staunch defender of his administration, from her position as the nation's top law enforcement official.
Trump praised Bondi in a post on Truth Social, announcing that she would be "transitioning" to a role in the private sector.
Bondi's tenure as head of the Justice Department was frequently overshadowed by the department's handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein and its investigation into the convicted sex offender.
She is the second official from the Trump administration to be removed from her post in recent weeks, following the ousting of Kristi Noem as homeland security chief in March. Bondi will be succeeded by her former deputy, Todd Blanche.
Bondi stated she would be "working tirelessly" to transfer her responsibilities to Blanche, describing the role as "the honour" of a lifetime.
She added that in her upcoming private sector position—details of which she did not disclose—she would "continue fighting for President Trump and this administration."
Recent Congressional Hearing and Trump's Support
The announcement follows a contentious congressional hearing less than two months ago, during which Bondi faced intense questioning from lawmakers. The hearing at times devolved into shouting matches, including an incident where Bondi referred to one Democrat as a "washed up loser."
As recently as Thursday morning, Trump publicly defended Bondi, stating:
"She is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job."
However, hours later, Trump confirmed her departure on Truth Social, indicating that her new private sector role would be "announced at a date in the near future."
In his post, Trump commended Bondi's performance as attorney general, noting she had done "a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in crime across our country."
Frustrations Over Epstein Files Handling
Reports suggest that Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi, particularly concerning her management of the Epstein files.
Upon her swearing-in as attorney general in February 2025, Bondi pledged transparency regarding the Epstein case and promised to release an alleged client list connected to the disgraced financier, who died in 2019.
The Justice Department later stated that no such list existed.
Ultimately, millions of files related to Epstein were released, but only after considerable pressure—including from Trump supporters—and following Congressional legislation mandating the Department of Justice to make unclassified records public.
Some lawmakers have asserted that Bondi and the Justice Department redacted victims' names as legally required.
Others have criticized the department for allegedly failing to fully comply with the law and inappropriately withholding documents, allegations the department denies.
The agency and Bondi faced bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers accusing the Justice Department of failing to sufficiently obscure some survivors' identifying information while protecting the identities of non-victims.
Reactions from Lawmakers and Allies
A number of Republicans who collaborated closely with Bondi praised her on Thursday.
"Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I'm grateful for her leadership and friendship," Blanche wrote on X. "We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe."
Conversely, others welcomed her departure.
Kentucky lawmaker Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of Bondi's handling of the Epstein files, stated:
"I hope the next AG will release all the Epstein files according to the law and follow up with investigations, prosecutions and arrests."
California Democrat Ro Khanna, who worked with Massie on a bipartisan effort to compel the release of the files, posted:
"The Senate must fight to make sure Bondi is not replaced with another lawless sycophant."
Another Republican critic, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, accused Bondi of having "stonewalled every effort to hold the guilty accountable" and "seriously undermined President Trump" through her handling of the files.
Survivors also told the BBC that Bondi had yet to meet with them or respond to their emails concerning Epstein's misconduct, making the issue a political liability for Trump.
Bondi has described Epstein as a "monster" and expressed sorrow to victims for the abuse they endured.
Most recently, a congressional committee formally summoned Bondi to answer questions regarding her handling of the Epstein investigation. She was expected to appear before the committee this month.
Justice Department Investigations Under Bondi
During her leadership, the Justice Department pursued several criminal investigations into political opponents of the president, including California Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former FBI Director James Comey.
In September, Trump urged Bondi to intensify investigations into his political adversaries. In a social media post directed at Bondi, he stated:
"We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility."
The Justice Department also faced scrutiny over its handling of investigations into federal immigration agents involved in fatal shootings during confrontations in Minneapolis, which sparked nationwide protests in January.
Context of Cabinet Changes and Trump's Administration
With Trump's announcement, Bondi becomes the third prominent member of his cabinet to leave during this term, following Noem and, last year, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, whose responsibilities were transferred to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The relatively stable inner circle of this term contrasts sharply with Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, which experienced numerous firings and replacements.
In the first year alone, the administration saw the departure of Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, FBI Director James Comey, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, and two press secretaries, among others.
Since returning to the White House last year, commentators and political strategists have noted that Trump's approach in his second term has been more disciplined and less chaotic.
Bondi's Role in Trump's Legal Battles
Bondi was part of Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial and during his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen due to voter fraud.
She also publicly supported Trump by attending court during his hush money trial in New York, which concluded in May with a conviction on 34 counts of fraud. Trump is currently appealing the verdict.
