President Donald Trump has removed Pam Bondi from her post as U.S. attorney general, a change confirmed by the president in a post on his social platform. The announcement followed reports earlier in the week citing White House sources that Bondi would be replaced.
In his statement on Truth Social, Trump said Bondi "will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future." He also praised her record, writing that she "did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900."
According to the president's statement, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will assume the role of acting attorney general. Trump described Blanche as "a very talented and respected Legal Mind."
Multiple reports earlier in the week said the White House was considering other candidates. CNN reported that Trump had discussed replacing Bondi with the current Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Lee Zeldin. Those reports also said Bondi was informed she would be offered a different position and that, during a conversation with the president, he suggested the possibility of appointing her as a judge following her departure from the Justice Department.
The meeting between Bondi and the president took place in the Oval Office on Wednesday night, sources said, occurring before the president's address to the nation regarding the war in Iran.
The sequence of events began with reporting from inside the White House that Bondi would be removed, followed by the president's public confirmation and description of her next move. The available information indicates that Bondi will transition out of the Justice Department, that Blanche will serve in an acting capacity, and that discussions have taken place about potential replacements and future roles for Bondi.
All details released publicly at the time of the announcement are limited to the president's confirmation of Bondi's departure, his description of her upcoming private-sector role, the appointment of Blanche as acting attorney general, and reports that Trump discussed Lee Zeldin as a candidate and suggested judicial possibilities for Bondi. The reported Oval Office meeting occurred shortly before the president delivered an address on foreign policy matters.