U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi following a meeting in the Oval Office, in a move that came just hours before his scheduled national address on the war in Iran. According to U.S. media reports, Bondi had already been removed from her position and left Washington by the time Trump took the podium.
The decision follows mounting criticism of Bondi’s performance, particularly over her handling of files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, which drew scrutiny from both political circles and public opinion. Her tenure had also faced broader controversy tied to the management of sensitive investigations and the direction of the Justice Department.
Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi ahead of national address on Iran conflict
In a statement shared on social media, Trump praised Bondi as a “great American patriot” and highlighted her role in overseeing what he described as a significant nationwide crackdown on crime. He added that she would transition to a new position in the private sector, with further details to be announced later.
Following her dismissal, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche was appointed as acting attorney general while a permanent replacement is determined.
Bondi, who previously served as Florida’s attorney general, built a national profile through her tough stance on crime and later became a close ally of Trump. She joined his legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020 and was appointed U.S. attorney general in 2025. During her tenure, she led high-profile actions, including asset seizures linked to international figures and organized crime networks.
Despite her alignment with the president, her departure underscores growing tensions within the administration, as well as ongoing political pressure surrounding key legal cases and federal investigations.
