US President Donald Trump has dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi, with the White House confirming the decision followed growing dissatisfaction with her performance, particularly over her handling of investigative material linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to officials, Trump had become increasingly frustrated not only with Bondi’s approach to the Epstein files but also with what he saw as a lack of urgency in pursuing legal action against political opponents he believed should face prosecution.
In a public statement, Trump commended Bondi as a “great American patriot” and said she would transition into private sector work. He announced that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—who previously served as his personal lawyer—will take over leadership of the Justice Department on an interim basis.
The Daily Mail citing anonymous sources claimed she was dismissed, “because the President believes Bondi ‘Tipped Off’ Eric Swalwell about the FBI’s efforts to release investigative documents related to his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.”
The FBI was preparing a cache of documents on Swalwell’s relationship with Christine Fang.
“She’s intervening in those matters. The White House wasn’t pleased she was intervening due to her personal friendship with Swalwell,” the anonymous source added.
It is unclear why Bondi would have intervened, but it is believed that Bondi and Swalwell have a friendly relationship.
Bondi’s tenure was marked by strong alignment with Trump’s policy agenda, alongside criticism that she eroded the department’s traditional independence from the White House. However, controversy surrounding the release and management of Epstein investigative records became a central issue, drawing criticism from both allies of the president and Republican lawmakers.
She faced accusations of mishandling or withholding details tied to federal sex trafficking investigations into Epstein, whose connections to influential figures had long drawn scrutiny. A reported six million documents relating to Epstein still remain un-released. Trump confirmed Bondi’s deputy Todd Blanche would take over as Acting Attorney-General.
