Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
US President Donald Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, appointing his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, as the acting head of the Department of Justice. Trump announced the move via social media amid growing criticism of Bondi’s handling of high-profile cases and perceived shortcomings in prosecuting political opponents.
“Pam Bondi is a great American patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” Trump said. “Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown on crime across our country.” He added that Bondi would transition to a new private sector role, to be announced in the near future.
Bondi, a staunch ally of the president, faced backlash for her handling of the Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Critics, including some Trump supporters, also expressed disappointment that she did not successfully pursue legal actions against figures perceived as political adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
While Bondi departs, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former member of Trump’s personal legal team, will serve as interim attorney general. Reports suggest Trump may consider naming former Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, currently head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a permanent replacement.
Democratic lawmakers welcomed Bondi’s departure. Senator Elizabeth Warren described it as “good riddance,” accusing Bondi of using the Justice Department to protect Trump’s political interests and obstruct transparency in the Epstein case. Senator Mark Warner also criticized Bondi’s handling of the files, saying it undermined public trust in the justice system.
Bondi’s tenure included high-profile involvement in Trump’s first-term impeachment trial over Ukraine, support for Trump’s false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election, and public defense during criminal proceedings, including Trump’s New York business record case.
Before serving in the Trump administration, Bondi had an 18-year career as a prosecutor and was elected as Florida’s first female attorney general in 2010, securing reelection in 2014. Her departure marks a notable reshuffling in Trump’s Justice Department leadership, following the recent firing of Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem.
