Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi in Surprise Justice Department Shakeup

Washington, D.C. – April 2, 2026 — President Donald Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to multiple sources and reports from NBC News, CBS News, CNN, and Fox News.

The ouster marks the second Cabinet-level departure in Trump’s second term, following the earlier dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to serve as acting Attorney General in the interim.

Sources indicate Trump informed Bondi of her removal after expressing growing frustration with her leadership at the Department of Justice. Tensions reportedly stemmed from the department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which sparked significant backlash from the president’s base, as well as perceptions that the DOJ was not aggressively pursuing investigations into Trump’s political opponents.

Bondi, a longtime Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, was confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement official in early 2025 after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration. She faced ongoing scrutiny, including an upcoming congressional deposition related to the Epstein investigation and criticism over high-profile personnel decisions and legal appointments within the DOJ.

The decision appears to have crystallized in recent days. Reports suggest Trump had privately discussed replacing Bondi with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, though Zeldin is not viewed as the final pick for the role. Bondi was seen with Trump as recently as Wednesday, riding in his motorcade during Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship.

White House officials described the move as part of a natural “cycle” in administrations, with one former chief of staff noting that personnel rotations often occur around the 18-month mark. Trump himself had publicly praised Bondi in recent statements, calling her “a wonderful person and she is doing a good job.”

Bondi’s tenure included significant DOJ reforms, such as efforts to “root out” perceived anti-Trump elements in the FBI and Justice Department, mass firings of career officials, and high-profile pardons. However, these actions also drew lawsuits from former agents and prosecutors who alleged politically motivated retaliation.

No official statement from Bondi has been released as of this afternoon. The Justice Department referred questions to the White House.

This rapid development comes amid a busy news cycle, including Trump’s recent national address on the Iran situation. It remains unclear who the long-term replacement for Bondi will be, but the shakeup signals continued turbulence in the upper ranks of the administration.