Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi Over Epstein Files

President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2, 2026, after a 14-month tenure. Trump reportedly informed Bondi of the decision during a limousine ride to the Supreme Court, telling her, "I think it’s time." He later announced the move via Truth Social, praising her as a "Great American Patriot" while stating she would transition to the private sector.

The dismissal followed Trump's growing frustration with Bondi's perceived failure to aggressively prosecute political adversaries, including James Comey and Letitia James, many of whose cases were dismissed by judges. Trump was also dissatisfied with her management of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking files. While the Justice Department released 3.5 million pages of records, lawmakers and survivors alleged that millions more were withheld and that Bondi had falsely claimed a "client list" existed.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer for Trump, was appointed acting attorney general. Blanche has since declared the Epstein file matter closed, though Representative Thomas Massie issued a 30-day ultimatum for the release of remaining documents. Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has emerged as a leading candidate for the permanent position.

Bondi's removal is the second major Cabinet ouster in a month, following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Despite her firing, the House Oversight Committee maintains that Bondi is legally obligated to appear for a deposition on April 14 regarding the Epstein investigation. Reports also surfaced of DOJ staff discarding Bondi's official portrait in a trash bin shortly after her removal.