Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general, White House official says
President Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, with a White House official stating frustration over her performance, particularly her management of Jeffrey Epstein's investigative files, as a key factor.
President Donald Trump fired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, April 2, 2026, citing frustrations over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein's investigative files and perceived delays in prosecuting his political enemies. According to a White House official, Trump's dissatisfaction stemmed from Bondi's management of Department of Justice records related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigations, which had drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers. The dismissal was announced through Trump's social media platform, where he praised Bondi as "a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend" while stating she would transition to a private sector role.
Bondi's standing had deteriorated significantly among congressional Republicans due to her chaotic release of DOJ records required under the Epstein Accountability Act. The Justice Department under Bondi had delayed releases, redacted non-sensitive information, and withheld disclosure notices from Congress. Last month, five Republicans on the House Oversight Committee joined Democrats to subpoena Bondi to testify about her role in the records release, highlighting bipartisan concern over her handling of the Epstein files.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, will take over the Justice Department on an interim basis following Bondi's dismissal. This marks the second high-profile firing in Trump's second administration, following the March 5 removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was replaced by former Senator Markwayne Mullin over immigration policy disagreements.
Bondi, a longtime Trump ally from Florida who previously served as Florida's attorney general, had championed Trump's agenda by eroding the Justice Department's traditional independence in investigations. Her dismissal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of how the Justice Department handled sensitive investigations and records related to high-profile cases, particularly those involving political figures and the Epstein sex trafficking network.
The White House did not immediately name a permanent replacement for Bondi, but the appointment of Blanche as interim attorney general suggests Trump will continue to place loyalists in key law enforcement positions. The firing has raised questions about the stability of Trump's cabinet and the administration's approach to law enforcement priorities as it enters its second term.
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