Pam Bondi out as attorney general as Trump shakes up Cabinet again

Todd Blanche (left) and Pam Bondi on Capitol Hill last month.

Pam Bondi is out as U.S. attorney general, President Trump announced on Thursday, marking the second major shakeup of his second-term Cabinet weeks after he ousted Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security. Trump said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche would take over as interim attorney general.

"Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year," Trump said in a post on Truth Social announcing the decision. "Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900. We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector," Trump added. 

Bondi's dismissal comes after months of scrutiny from both sides of the aisle over her handling of the release of the Epstein files. On Wednesday, she was by the president's side as he sat in on oral arguments at the Supreme Court's hearing of a challenge to his birthright citizenship executive order. 

Bondi previously served for eight years as Florida attorney general and was Trump's second pick to lead the Justice Department, behind former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, who withdrew from consideration last year after Senate confirmation appeared unlikely. She lasted just about 14 months in the role after being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Feb. 5 of last year.

"Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General," Trump said on Truth Social. Blanche was part of the legal team that defended Trump in three criminal cases brought against him in 2023 and 2024 amid various attempts to stifle his run for re-election.