Blanche To Take Over DOJ After Trump Ousts Attorney General Bondi
3 hours ago
U.S. President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, turning to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to lead the Justice Department on an interim basis amid growing dissatisfaction with her performance.
Trump announced the move in a social media post, praising Bondi as a “Great American Patriot and a loyal friend,” while confirming she would soon transition to a role in the private sector. No permanent replacement has been named.
According to sources familiar with the decision, Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi in recent months, particularly over the handling and release of files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The issue drew criticism from Trump allies and some Republican lawmakers, ultimately overshadowing her tenure.
Trump was also dissatisfied with the pace of legal action against political opponents he believed should face prosecution, sources said.
Blanche, a former personal attorney to Trump, will now oversee the Justice Department temporarily. In a statement, he thanked the president for the opportunity and pledged to “do everything in our power to keep America safe.”
Bondi, who served as a staunch advocate for Trump’s agenda, said leading the administration’s efforts to combat crime was “the honor of a lifetime.” She plans to spend the next month assisting with the transition.
Her tenure was marked by an aggressive push to align the Justice Department more closely with the White House, breaking from longstanding norms of independence in federal investigations.
Trump had privately expressed concerns about Bondi’s leadership for months, a senior White House official said, and informed her of his decision during a meeting on Wednesday. Advisors had recently urged the president to act, with one source describing the move as an effort to “rip off the Band-Aid.”
Potential long-term replacements are already being discussed, including Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, though no decision has been finalized.
Bondi spent much of her final full day in the role alongside Trump, including attending events at the White House and accompanying him to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a key administration policy was under scrutiny.
Trump announced the move in a social media post, praising Bondi as a “Great American Patriot and a loyal friend,” while confirming she would soon transition to a role in the private sector. No permanent replacement has been named.
According to sources familiar with the decision, Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi in recent months, particularly over the handling and release of files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The issue drew criticism from Trump allies and some Republican lawmakers, ultimately overshadowing her tenure.
Trump was also dissatisfied with the pace of legal action against political opponents he believed should face prosecution, sources said.
Blanche, a former personal attorney to Trump, will now oversee the Justice Department temporarily. In a statement, he thanked the president for the opportunity and pledged to “do everything in our power to keep America safe.”
Bondi, who served as a staunch advocate for Trump’s agenda, said leading the administration’s efforts to combat crime was “the honor of a lifetime.” She plans to spend the next month assisting with the transition.
Her tenure was marked by an aggressive push to align the Justice Department more closely with the White House, breaking from longstanding norms of independence in federal investigations.
Trump had privately expressed concerns about Bondi’s leadership for months, a senior White House official said, and informed her of his decision during a meeting on Wednesday. Advisors had recently urged the president to act, with one source describing the move as an effort to “rip off the Band-Aid.”
Potential long-term replacements are already being discussed, including Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, though no decision has been finalized.
Bondi spent much of her final full day in the role alongside Trump, including attending events at the White House and accompanying him to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a key administration policy was under scrutiny.
