US Attorney General Pam Bondi has made a statement following her removal by President Donald Trump via the Truth Social platform. Speculation had been circulating that Trump was considering dismissing Bondi due to her handling of the Epstein files and other issues. Trump officially announced her departure on Thursday, revealing that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche would serve as Acting Attorney General until a permanent replacement is named.
Bondi acknowledged the news, expressing her commitment to facilitating a smooth transition to Blanche before pursuing a new role in the private sector. Trump praised Bondi as a “Great American Patriot and a loyal friend” who had effectively overseen a significant reduction in crime rates during her tenure.
Reports suggest that Trump is contemplating appointing Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as Bondi’s successor. Bondi’s dismissal reportedly occurred just before Trump’s national address on the Iran conflict, despite her plea for reconsideration. The decision came shortly after a public appearance with Trump at the US Supreme Court.
Allegedly, there was a heated exchange between Trump and Bondi recently, although the specifics of their disagreement remain undisclosed. Bondi’s removal follows a pattern of personnel changes in the administration, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also being ousted. Additionally, there are indications that National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard could face removal over a social media incident perceived as detrimental to military operations in Iran.
In response to the news, Rep. Robert Garcia emphasized that Bondi would still be expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding the Epstein files, despite her dismissal.
