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U.S. President Donald Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, replacing her with his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, who will now serve as acting head of the Justice Department.
The decision, announced via Trump’s Truth Social platform, follows mounting criticism of Bondi’s tenure, particularly her handling of sensitive cases and perceived failure to prosecute some of the president’s political opponents.
Despite her dismissal, Trump praised Bondi’s performance, describing her as “a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend” who had “done a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country.”
Trump added that Bondi would be transitioning into “a much needed and important new job in the private sector,” though no further details were provided.
Bondi’s exit comes amid growing scrutiny over the Justice Department’s management of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Critics, including some within Trump’s support base, have accused her of mishandling the release of documents related to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. The issue has remained politically sensitive, given Trump’s past association with the disgraced financier.
Reports also suggest that Bondi had fallen out of favour with the president over unsuccessful attempts to prosecute figures seen as political adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Bondi’s removal has drawn sharp reactions from Democratic lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren welcomed the move, saying, “Good riddance,” and accusing Bondi of turning the Justice Department into “a cesspool of corruption.” She further alleged that Bondi blocked the release of Epstein-related files and used the department to target political opponents.
Similarly, Senator Mark Warner criticised Bondi’s “botched handling of the Epstein files,” arguing that it denied victims transparency and weakened public trust in the justice system. He added that Americans deserve a Justice Department focused on justice rather than political interests.
Bondi, a long-time Trump ally, had been deeply involved in his political and legal battles. She joined his defence team during his first impeachment trial involving Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden, and later supported his claims of voter fraud following the 2020 election. She also publicly backed Trump during his legal challenges, including his conviction in New York over falsified business records.
Her dismissal marks another high-profile shake-up within Trump’s administration, coming just weeks after the removal of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem.
Before entering national politics, Bondi had served as a prosecutor for 18 years and made history as Florida’s first female attorney general after her 2010 election.
Her departure signals a significant shift within the Justice Department as Trump continues to reshape key positions within his administration.
