US President Donald Trump has dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi, a close ally and staunch defender of his administration, ending her tenure as the nation’s top law enforcement official.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump commended Bondi and said she would be “transitioning” to a role in the private sector.

Her tenure at the Department of Justice was frequently dominated by controversy surrounding the release of files tied to Jeffrey Epstein and the department’s broader investigation into the convicted sex offender.

Bondi’s exit marks the second high-profile removal in recent weeks, following the ousting of homeland security chief Kristi Noem in March. Former deputy attorney general Todd Blanche is set to take over the role.

Bondi said she would be “working tirelessly” to transfer her responsibilities to Blanche, calling her time in office “been the honour” of a lifetime.

She added that in her upcoming private sector position — which she did not disclose — she would “continue fighting for President Trump and this administration”.

The decision follows a tense congressional hearing less than two months ago, where Bondi clashed with lawmakers. The session at times devolved into shouting, with Bondi referring to one Democrat as a “washed-up loser”.

Earlier Thursday, Trump had publicly backed Bondi, saying: “She is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job.”
However, hours later, he confirmed her departure on Truth Social, noting her next role would be “announced at a date in the near future”.

In his statement, Trump praised Bondi’s record, saying she had done “a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in crime across our country”.

Despite the public praise, reports indicate the president had grown increasingly dissatisfied with Bondi, particularly over her handling of the Epstein-related records.

After taking office in February 2025, Bondi pledged transparency and promised to release an alleged client list linked to Epstein, who died in 2019.

The Justice Department later stated that no such list existed.

Ultimately, millions of Epstein-related documents were made public under mounting pressure, including from Trump supporters, and only after Congress passed legislation mandating the release of unclassified records.

The rollout drew criticism from both parties, with lawmakers accusing the department of failing to properly redact identifying details of survivors while shielding the identities of individuals who were not victims.

Some Republican allies defended Bondi following the announcement.

“Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I'm grateful for her leadership and friendship,” Blanche wrote on X. “We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe.”

Others welcomed her departure.

Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of her approach to the Epstein case, wrote: “I hope the next AG will release all the Epstein files according to the law and follow up with investigations, prosecutions and arrests.”

California Democrat Ro Khanna, who partnered with Massie on legislation to compel the document release, told the BBC’s Newsnight: “This shows that Congress isn't a doormat.”

Khanna added that lawmakers should block Blanche’s confirmation unless he commits to pursuing those linked to Epstein, saying he must “submit to investigating and prosecuting this Epstein class, this group of men who felt that they could write their own rules, play by their own roles, and treated the rest of us as dispensable”.

Another Republican critic, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, accused Bondi of having “stonewalled every effort to hold the guilty accountable” and said her actions had “seriously undermined” Trump.

Survivors also told the BBC that Bondi had not met with them or responded to outreach regarding Epstein’s crimes, adding that the issue had become politically damaging for the president.

Bondi has previously described Epstein as a “monster” and expressed regret to victims for the abuse they suffered.

Most recently, a congressional committee formally summoned Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein investigation. She had been expected to appear later this month.

During her time in office, the Justice Department launched several investigations into Trump’s political opponents, including California Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.

In September, Trump publicly urged Bondi to intensify those efforts, writing: “We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility.”

The department also faced scrutiny over its investigation into federal immigration agents who fatally shot two individuals during confrontations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparking nationwide protests in January.

With Bondi’s departure, she becomes the third senior official to exit Trump’s cabinet this term, following Noem and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, whose responsibilities were reassigned last year to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The relatively stable inner circle of Trump’s current presidency contrasts sharply with his first term from 2017 to 2021, which saw frequent turnover.

Within the first year alone, the administration lost acting Attorney General Sally Yates, National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, FBI Director James Comey, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon and two press secretaries, among others.

Since returning to office, analysts have noted a more controlled and disciplined approach in Trump’s leadership style.

Bondi previously served on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial and supported his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was marred by widespread voter fraud.

She also appeared in court during his New York hush money trial, which concluded in May with a conviction on 34 counts of fraud. Trump is currently appealing that verdict.