Trump fires Pam Bondi as US Attorney General after row over Epstein probe handling

Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi amid mounting criticism over her handling of Epstein files and dissatisfaction with her pace on prosecutions.

In Short

• Trump frustrated with Bondi's slow action against his critics
• Bondi criticised for withholding key sex trafficking investigation info
• Bondi's exit signals possible Justice Department strategy shift

US President Donald Trump on Thursday removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from office amid growing dissatisfaction with her performance, particularly over her handling of investigative files related to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as her approach to prosecutions Trump had pushed for.

Bondi faced sustained criticism from Trump allies and several Republican lawmakers, who accused her of mismanaging or withholding key information related to the Justice Department’s sex trafficking investigations.

Sources said Trump had also grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi for not moving swiftly enough to pursue criminal cases against his political critics and adversaries, a factor that further eroded her standing, news agency Reuters reported.

President Donald Trump, who confirmed Bondi's removal, said her post is being replaced by deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in an acting capacity. In a social media post, Trump praised Bondi as a "Great American Patriot and a loyal friend" and said she will move to a job in the private sector.

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, had been a staunch and combative defender of Trump’s agenda. During her tenure, she was seen as instrumental in reshaping the Justice Department, drawing criticism for weakening its traditional independence from the White House in investigative matters.

However, her leadership was questioned over the dismissal of dozens of career prosecutors linked to probes disfavoured by Trump, with critics accusing her of undermining the department’s longstanding commitment to impartial justice.

The handling of Epstein-related records proved particularly contentious. Bondi was accused of covering up or mismanaging the release of documents related to the Justice Department’s sex trafficking investigations into Epstein, a financier who cultivated ties with an array of wealthy and powerful figures.

It created political challenges for Trump and renewed scrutiny of his past association with Epstein, which he has said ended decades ago.

Congress then passed a law in November mandating the release of nearly all remaining Epstein-related files. While approximately three million pages of documents were eventually made public, the move failed to quell criticism, with lawmakers raising concerns over redactions and the exposure of some victims’ identities.

Under Bondi’s tenure, the Justice Department launched investigations into several of Trump’s perceived adversaries, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and former CIA Director John Brennan.

However, high-profile cases against Comey and James were swiftly dismissed by a judge, who ruled that the prosecutor handling the cases had been illegally appointed. Other politically sensitive probes either failed to secure indictments from grand juries or did not lead to any criminal charges.

Analysts view that Bondi’s exit is expected to trigger a strategic reset at the Justice Department and could signal a more aggressive legal approach aligned with Trump’s political priorities.

Her ouster marks the second high-profile departure from Trump’s administration in recent weeks, following the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on March 5 over concerns related to her handling of the agency and immigration policy.

- Ends