President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Pam Bondi has been removed from her position as U.S. Attorney General, sparking immediate bipartisan reaction with Democrats largely celebrating the ouster while some Republicans defended her tenure.
The removal marks another high-profile departure from the Trump administration, following similar exits of other cabinet members. Democrats seized on the moment to renew criticism of the Department's direction under Bondi's leadership, while Republican defenders pointed to her record as Florida Attorney General.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., defended Bondi, calling her "a great friend and one of the best lawyers I've ever met." Scott wrote: "She did an incredible job as Florida's Attorney General when I was Governor, and she has been an incredible U.S. Attorney General." He thanked Bondi "for all Pam has accomplished to make America safe again and restore the rule of law."
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination to be Attorney General before Bondi's appointment, wrote that "Pam Bondi will be known as one of the great crime fighters." Gaetz had resigned from Congress to accept Trump's initial Attorney General nomination before withdrawing.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has recently opposed parts of the administration, criticized Bondi's handling of the Epstein files. Mace wrote that Bondi "handled the Epstein Files in a terrible manner and seriously undermined President Trump" and had "stonewalled every effort to hold the guilty accountable." Mace stated she would welcome Lee Zeldin as a replacement if reports prove true, saying she looks forward to "a new Attorney General committed to getting justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein."
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on X: "Good riddance. Pam Bondi was the wrong choice from the start." Schumer added that "the rot at the Department of Justice begins and ends with Donald Trump," asserting that the Department's focus on revenge rather than law enforcement would continue.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a former Democratic presidential candidate, stated that Bondi "will be remembered for blocking the release of the Epstein files, weaponizing the DOJ to go after Trump's political opponents, and handing out merger approvals as political favors." Warren concluded her post with "Good riddance."
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who oversaw the Jan. 6 hearings in the House, wrote that Bondi "oversaw an unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department that brought our nation's rule of law to its knees." Schiff cited "countless and baseless political investigations, hundreds of career law enforcement professionals purged, a massive cover-up of the Epstein files" as evidence of her tenure.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., wrote: "Pam Bondi is a partisan, petulant, political hack. And now she's GONE." Jeffries added "Pete Hegseth is next" and called for continued pressure on "every single one of these extremists."
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, commented: "The President nominated these awful people, the Republican controlled Senate confirmed them" and called for a "do over" for American leadership.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., stated that Bondi "must still comply with our subpoena and testify before the Oversight Committee about her criminally botched Epstein Files release." Ansari added: "She may be fired, but she is not above the law."
What the Numbers Show
According to the source, President Trump is considering replacing Bondi with current Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. This would mark the second cabinet-level replacement in the administration following similar departures.
The Democratic response included statements from five Senate Democrats and three House Democrats, while Republican defense came primarily from Florida delegation members Rick Scott and Matt Gaetz, with one Republican (Nancy Mace) joining critics on the Epstein files issue.
The Bottom Line
Pam Bondi's ouster as Attorney General has produced sharply divided reactions along party lines, with Democrats celebrating what they characterize as an end to weaponization of the Justice Department and Republicans either defending her record or joining criticism on specific issues like the Epstein files investigation. The potential nomination of Lee Zeldin, currently serving as EPA Administrator, awaits confirmation. House Democrats have indicated they will continue to pursue Bondi's testimony regarding the Epstein files through congressional oversight, regardless of her departure from office.