US President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi - a longtime ally and fierce defender of his administration - from her post as America's top law enforcement officer. Trump praised her in a post on Truth Social and said she would be transitioning to a role in the private sector. Bondi's time leading the justice department was often overshadowed by its handling of the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein and its investigation into the convicted sex offender.
She is the second Trump administration official in recent weeks to be cut from her post, after Kristi Noem was ousted as homeland security chief in March. Bondi will be replaced by her former deputy, Todd Blanche. Blanche denied US media reports that Bondi's handling of the Epstein files had been a factor in Trump's thinking.
As President Trump said today, the attorney general made our country safe again, and she is a friend and did a great job in the first year of this administration, he told Fox News on Thursday evening. Bondi said she would be working tirelessly to transfer her work to Blanche, adding that the job had been the honour of a lifetime. She added that in her new private sector position - which she did not identify - she would continue fighting for President Trump and this administration.
The announcement comes less than two months after a combative congressional hearing in which Bondi was peppered with questions from lawmakers - at times descending into shouting matches in which she called one Democrat a washed-up loser. Recently, Trump defended Bondi, saying she was doing well, but his mood shifted quickly to confirm her departure on social media. Despite praise from Trump, he reportedly grew frustrated with her handling of Epstein files, diminishing her standing over time.
Bondi's leadership saw significant scrutiny as files related to the Epstein investigation were released, which faced bipartisan backlash regarding its failure to protect victim identities while shielding non-victims. Critics, including some Republicans, have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with her performance, especially regarding the Epstein case, and have called for better investigations moving forward.
In her tenure, Bondi aimed to address investigations into political adversaries of Trump, though her tactics were questioned amid national controversies, including those surrounding immigration enforcement. The shake-up within Trump's cabinet reflects a more stable environment compared to his first term, which was marked by turbulence and high turnover. Bondi becomes the third high-profile member of Trump's cabinet to leave this term, signaling continuing adjustments as the administration navigates complex political waters.
She is the second Trump administration official in recent weeks to be cut from her post, after Kristi Noem was ousted as homeland security chief in March. Bondi will be replaced by her former deputy, Todd Blanche. Blanche denied US media reports that Bondi's handling of the Epstein files had been a factor in Trump's thinking.
As President Trump said today, the attorney general made our country safe again, and she is a friend and did a great job in the first year of this administration, he told Fox News on Thursday evening. Bondi said she would be working tirelessly to transfer her work to Blanche, adding that the job had been the honour of a lifetime. She added that in her new private sector position - which she did not identify - she would continue fighting for President Trump and this administration.
The announcement comes less than two months after a combative congressional hearing in which Bondi was peppered with questions from lawmakers - at times descending into shouting matches in which she called one Democrat a washed-up loser. Recently, Trump defended Bondi, saying she was doing well, but his mood shifted quickly to confirm her departure on social media. Despite praise from Trump, he reportedly grew frustrated with her handling of Epstein files, diminishing her standing over time.
Bondi's leadership saw significant scrutiny as files related to the Epstein investigation were released, which faced bipartisan backlash regarding its failure to protect victim identities while shielding non-victims. Critics, including some Republicans, have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with her performance, especially regarding the Epstein case, and have called for better investigations moving forward.
In her tenure, Bondi aimed to address investigations into political adversaries of Trump, though her tactics were questioned amid national controversies, including those surrounding immigration enforcement. The shake-up within Trump's cabinet reflects a more stable environment compared to his first term, which was marked by turbulence and high turnover. Bondi becomes the third high-profile member of Trump's cabinet to leave this term, signaling continuing adjustments as the administration navigates complex political waters.
