Donald Trump has dismissed Attorney General (the top prosecutor of the United States) Pam Bondi, bringing to an end a turbulent 14-month tenure at the helm of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a report by The New York Times. She will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Attorney General and the president’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche.
Trump’s decision appears to be directly linked to the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, which sparked strong political reactions and pressure from both Democrats and Republicans. Bondi had pledged full transparency; however, the management of the release of related files drew criticism, particularly over delays and mistakes in protecting sensitive information.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense P. Hesgeth removed three senior military officers over disagreements regarding the war in Iran.
At the same time, according to reports, Trump had for months expressed dissatisfaction with Bondi’s inability to secure indictments against political opponents, despite ongoing investigations. Among them are California Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former FBI Director James Comey. Judicial sources reportedly warned that in several cases there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
During her tenure, Bondi was also accused of curbing the traditional independence of the Department of Justice in order to satisfy the U.S. president, whose aim, according to The New York Times, is to exert full control over the Department and use it to conduct criminal investigations aligned with his political interests. The departure of experienced officials and the weakening of key divisions—such as those dealing with corruption and national security—further fueled criticism.
Sources: ΒBC, CNN, The New York Times
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