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

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.