Pam Bondi is stepping down as attorney general after a term marked by ups and downs.
President Donald Trump announced that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will take over the Department of Justice (DOJ) on an interim basis.
In Trump’s words, “Pam Bondi is a great American patriot and a loyal friend who has faithfully served as my attorney general over the past year.” He also mentioned that she has done a remarkable job tackling crime, noting a significant drop in homicides. Trump suggested that Bondi is moving to an important new role soon, while touting Blanche as a talented legal mind stepping into this position temporarily.
The New York Times reported that Trump is contemplating firing Bondi, and mentioned that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has been suggested as her possible successor.
“Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and is doing a good job,” Trump told the New York Times.
Ms. Bondi faced persistent criticism for her handling of the Epstein situation. In February 2025, she claimed to have placed Epstein’s client list on her desk, later delivering new information to conservative figures in the White House.
The issue gained traction in July, as Axios reported a DOJ memo stating that no client list existed and asserting that Epstein had indeed committed suicide. Following the passage of the Epstein File Transparency Act in November, the DOJ began releasing related files.
A resolution from the House Oversight Committee in March called for Bondi to testify about the Epstein files, with five Republicans joining Democrats in support.
A straw poll from Turning Point USA America Fest attendees last December showed Bondi with the lowest approval rating among Cabinet members at just 60%. Her overall approval had dropped significantly over several months, according to a Newsweek report.
Reports indicated that the president had been unhappy with her performance for some time, allegedly labeling her a “weak and incompetent executive.”
The public scrutiny intensified in September after Trump questioned the lack of progress on investigations involving former FBI Director James Comey, Senator Adam Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Bondi was confirmed by the Senate on February 4, 2025, with a vote of 54-46.
