WASHINGTON (MNN); US President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post on Thursday, following mounting frustration over her handling of sensitive investigative files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump was reportedly unhappy that Bondi had not acted quickly to prosecute critics and adversaries he wanted to face charges. During her tenure, Bondi was a strong supporter of Trump’s agenda and challenged the Justice Department’s traditional independence from the White House in legal matters.
Repeated criticism over the Epstein files, including from Trump allies and some Republican lawmakers, dominated her tenure. Bondi was accused of mishandling or concealing records from the DOJ’s sex trafficking investigations into Epstein, who had ties with numerous wealthy and powerful figures. The controversy renewed scrutiny of Trump’s past friendship with Epstein.
Her dismissal could lead to strategic changes within the Justice Department and possibly a renewed effort to target Trump’s opponents legally. Bondi is the second senior Trump official recently removed, following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on March 5.
Bondi, formerly a Republican state attorney general in Florida, defended her tenure, highlighting efforts to focus on violent crime and restore trust among Trump supporters. She also faced criticism for removing career prosecutors who had investigated matters unpopular with Trump, raising concerns about impartiality.
Regarding the Epstein files, Bondi claimed the Trump administration was more transparent than previous governments and that DOJ lawyers worked under tight timelines. Despite releasing about 3 million pages of records, controversy persisted over redactions and the handling of victim identities.
Bondi was scheduled to testify before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee on April 14, as lawmakers continued to investigate the matter.
