President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi as attorney general on Thursday, after several sources reported earlier this week that he would do so.
What did Trump say about firing Pam Bondi?
Bondi is being replaced on an interim basis with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Trump addressed the move on his Truth Social platform, praising Bondi as a “loyal friend” and her work in the administration. He did not give a reason for Bondi’s dismissal, according to CNN and NBC News.
“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900,” Trump said in the post.
He continued, “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 was reportedly unhappy with Bondi’s performance
Trump had grown frustrated with Bondi in recent days over her performance. Key frustrations included her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and concerns that she had not pursued investigations or prosecutions against Trump’s political adversaries as aggressively as he wanted, a source familiar with the matter said, per CNN and NBC News.
In the days leading up to her firing, Trump spoke privately with allies about firing Bondi. On Wednesday, he spoke with Bondi, informing her that it would likely happen. White House insiders said the conversation was “rough,” as Trump explained that he would be replacing Bondi in the near future, CNN reported.
Bondi confirmed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that over the next month, she would “tirelessly” transition her office to Blanche before “moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration.”
“Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make America safer and more secure has been the honor of a lifetime, and easily the most consequential first year of the Department of Justice in American history,” she wrote, adding, “I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”
Details on attorney general replacements and if Bondi will testify before House Oversight Committee
Trump had initially floated the idea of appointing Bondi to another government role, such as a judgeship, but has not spoken about it since. While he said she would be moving into a private sector role, Bondi currently does not have another position lined up, per CNN.
Blanche, formerly one of Trump’s personal attorneys, praised Bondi while thanking Trump for the appointment.
“Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction, and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship,” he said in an X post. “Thank you to President Trump for the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General. We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe.”
Bondi’s departure marks the second time a Cabinet member has been ousted by Trump. In early March, he removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary and replaced her with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Blavity reported.
The administration is now seeking permanent replacements, with Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
During her tenure, Bondi faced controversy over her public statements about Epstein-related records and a congressional subpoena compelling her to testify. A House Oversight Committee spokeswoman told NBC News that Chairman James Comer would “speak with the Republican members and the Department of Justice about the status of the deposition subpoena and confer on next steps.”
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