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By Andrew Stanton and Peter Aitken
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President Donald Trump has removed Pam Bondi as the U.S. attorney general. Fox News first reported on this development.
Why It Matters
Bondi’s exit comes after she has faced backlash over the handling of the release of documents related to federal investigations into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking. Trump campaigned on releasing the Epstein files, but Bondi has faced criticism over their slow release and redactions in the files.
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What To Know
Trump confirmed Bondi's departure in a post to Truth Social.
"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. 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, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he wrote.
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Trump dismissed Bondi on April 1 during a meeting in the Oval Office ahead of his national address on the war in Iran, and she has already returned to her Florida home, Fox News reported. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will take over the role while the president finds a longer-term replacement.
Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin has already been floated as a potential candidate, according to Fox News. Bondi may end up landing in a different post within the administration, however.
Why Was Pam Bondi Fired?
Trump did not name a reason for Bondi’s departure in his post. Her departure comes amid ongoing backlash over the Epstein files and ahead of a House Oversight Committee hearing into the Justice Department's handling of the investigation, for which Bondi was subpoenaed.
Reports of Bondi’s potential departure swirled earlier this week, with The New York Times reporting on Wednesday that Trump had discussed firing the attorney general amid frustration over the Epstein files.
What is Pam Bondi's New Role?
Trump said Bondi would be transitioning to a private-sector role, details of which have not been made public.
Who Is Replacing Pam Bondi?
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as Acting Attorney General, Trump said. Blanche has served as Bondi's second-in-command during her tenure.
He is a former federal prosecutor and longtime legal defender of Trump who joined his defense team ahead of Trump’s New York arraignment and later led his defense in the federal classified‑documents and election‑obstruction cases. Blanche ultimately became Trump’s lead trial lawyer in the New York criminal case, developing what the document describes as a “close relationship” with the president.
Trump Admin Faces Criticism Over Epstein Files
The Trump administration has faced bipartisan criticism over its handling of the Epstein files. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represented Georgia in Congress until earlier this year and has turned on Trump in part due to the files, warned that his biggest “miscalculation” was calling the files a “hoax.”
A recent YouGov poll found that 68 percent of Americans believe the government is “covering up evidence” about Epstein, and only 26 percent of Americans approve of the way Trump has handled the matter. Among Republicans, 56 percent approved of his handling of Epstein. It surveyed 1,124 adults from February 27 to March 2, 2026.
Meanwhile, some Democrats called for Bondi’s impeachment.
Congress passed a bill compelling the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files late last year. The bill allows redactions to protect the identities of victims or minors and ensure ongoing investigations are not compromised. However, critics have accused the DOJ of going too far with redactions, raising concerns about whether it violates the bill.
Polls had shown Bondi's popularity had struggled amid the fallout from the Epstein scandal.
A survey by YouGov and The Economist found that 23 percent of Americans view Bondi favorably, compared with 48 percent who view her unfavorably. It surveyed 1,563 adults from March 6-9, 2026.
What People Are Saying
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who led the Epstein bill, wrote on X: "I support Trump firing Pam Bondi. Do you? I hope the next AG will release all the Epstein files according to the law and follow up with investigations, prosecutions, and arrests.
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, who led the Epstein bill, wrote on X: "The Epstein files cover up took down Bondi. @RepThomasMassie & I have been calling for accountability since she violated our Epstein Transparency Act. Congress does not need to be a doormat. The Senate must fight to make sure Bondi is not replaced with another lawless sycophant."
Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, wrote on X: "If the reports that Lee Zeldin will be replacing Pam Bondi as Attorney General are true - I welcome it. Bondi handled the Epstein Files in a terrible manner and made this situation far worse than it had to be for President Trump. I look forward to a new Attorney General committed to getting justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein."
Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, wrote on X: "Pam Bondi and Donald Trump may think her firing gets her out of testifying to the Oversight Committee. They are wrong - and we look forward to hearing from her under oath."
What Happens Next
Trump named Todd Blanche as his acting attorney general. Whoever he names as Bondi's official replacement will need Senate confirmation.
Update 4/2/26, 1:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 4/2/26 1:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 4/2/26 2:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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