Trump ousts Pam Bondi as attorney general amid department turmoil
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Pam Bondi is no longer his attorney general, ending a tumultuous tenure marked by controversy. He appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting attorney general, though sources say he has discussed Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin as a potential permanent replacement.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, took office last year pledging to avoid politicization. However, she quickly became embroiled in investigations targeting Trump’s political rivals and critics, prompting accusations that the Justice Department was being used as a tool of political revenge, according to sources familiar with her tenure.
Her leadership included the firing of career prosecutors and the resignation of hundreds of employees amid allegations of partisan bias. She also oversaw investigations into figures such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, though some cases were dismissed by judges for procedural issues.
Bondi’s close alignment with Trump drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. She publicly praised the president and called for an end to what she described as the ‘weaponization’ of law enforcement under the Biden administration. Critics contended that her actions politicized the department and compromised its independence.
The departure follows ongoing scrutiny over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which drew criticism for perceived mishandling and public missteps. Bondi’s tenure was also marked by her vocal support for Trump during investigations and impeachment proceedings, further blurring lines between her role and political loyalty.
Her exit continues a pattern of upheaval at the Justice Department during Trump’s presidency, with multiple attorneys general either pushed out or resigning amid disagreements over department independence and political influence.
Source: Original Article
