President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, ending her 14-month tenure at the Department of Justice after growing frustration over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and the pace of investigations into the president’s political opponents.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Bondi as “a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend” who “faithfully served” as Attorney General, adding that she would transition to “a much needed and important new job in the private sector” to be announced later. He named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — Trump’s former personal defense attorney — as acting Attorney General in the interim.
Sources close to the White House told multiple outlets that Trump had been privately souring on Bondi for months. Key points of contention included the Justice Department’s troubled release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as what the president viewed as insufficient aggressiveness in prosecuting his perceived political enemies.
Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files drew bipartisan criticism. Congress passed legislation requiring the DOJ to release the records after Bondi initially resisted full disclosure. The eventual partial release was accused of being chaotic, with complaints about inadequate redactions protecting victims while allegedly shielding others. Some Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Thomas Massie, publicly criticized her for “stonewalling” efforts and undermining the administration’s transparency promises on the issue.
Additionally, several high-profile investigations and attempted prosecutions pushed by the DOJ under Bondi faced setbacks in court, further eroding confidence in her leadership. Bondi had previously drawn attention for a February 2025 Fox News interview in which she claimed an “Epstein client list” was on her desk for review, only for the department to later state no such list existed in that form.
This marks the second high-profile Cabinet departure in recent weeks, following the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last month.
Democrats reacted by accusing Bondi of turning the DOJ into a tool for political retribution while participating in what they called a “cover-up” of the Epstein files. Some Republicans praised her loyalty but expressed hope that the next leader would more effectively deliver on transparency and accountability regarding Epstein records.
The White House has not yet named a permanent replacement, though names such as former EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have circulated in speculation.
Bondi, a longtime Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, was confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement official in early 2025.
