Trump has discussed ousting Attorney General Pam Bondi, sources say
Trump Has Discussed Ousting Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sources Say
President Donald Trump has privately considered removing his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and appointing EPA administrator Lee Zeldin in her place, according to multiple sources. The decision stems from growing frustration within his political base over the administration’s approach to the Jeffrey Epstein files, which have sparked significant controversy. Bondi is set to appear before Congress this month for a deposition linked to the ongoing inquiry into the late sex trafficker, sources added.
Trump has expressed concern that Bondi has not pursued sufficient investigations into his political rivals, a point raised by those close to the situation. However, the president has not finalized his choice, with sources indicating indecision remains. During Wednesday’s motorcade, Bondi accompanied Trump as he participated in Supreme Court arguments regarding birthright citizenship, where he publicly endorsed her performance.
“Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job,” the president stated in a recent CNN interview.
The idea of replacing Bondi with Zeldin first emerged in January but faded as media attention on the Epstein case diminished. Some senior Justice Department officials believed the prolonged scrutiny of the files was nearing its end. Yet, discussions about her potential removal reignited in the West Wing on Monday, with Zeldin being the most frequently mentioned candidate among those considered.
While Zeldin is a leading contender, he is not regarded as the sole option if Bondi is dismissed. The New York Times was the first to report on this possibility, highlighting internal tensions over her handling of the Epstein matter. Despite this, Bondi retains strong support within the administration, including from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Wiles, however, acknowledged in a Vanity Fair interview that Bondi had “completely whiffed” in addressing the Epstein files effectively.
CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz contributed to this report.
