President Trump confirmed Thursday that Pam Bondi has been removed from her position as U.S. attorney general, sparking celebrations among Democrats and mixed reactions from Republicans.
Bondi served less than a full term as attorney general, appointed after former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination amid Senate resistance. Trump indicated he is considering Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin as a replacement, according to sources familiar with the matter.
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has increasingly criticized the administration, said Bondi "handled the Epstein Files in a terrible manner and seriously undermined President Trump." She accused Bondi of "stonewalling every effort to hold the guilty accountable" and wrote that if Zeldin is nominated, "I welcome it" because she looks forward to "a new Attorney General committed to getting justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein."
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., defended Bondi as "a great friend and one of the best lawyers I've ever met." He said she "did an incredible job as Florida's Attorney General" and has been "an incredible U.S. Attorney General," thanking her for working to "make America safe again and restore the rule of law."
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his own attorney general nomination to clear the way for Bondi, defended her on social media.
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." He added that "the rot at the Department of Justice begins and ends with Donald Trump" and criticized the administration's handling of the Epstein files.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said 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." She called the department "a cesspool of corruption" and repeated "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." He cited "countless and baseless political investigations, hundreds of career law enforcement professionals purged" and alleged a cover-up of Epstein files.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., called Bondi "a partisan, petulant, political hack" and wrote she was "GONE." He added that "Pete Hegseth is next," urging continued pressure on administration nominees.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, posted profanity-laden commentary celebrating the removal and referencing Trump's past legal troubles. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., said Bondi "must still comply with our subpoena and testify before the Oversight Committee" about the Epstein files release.
What the Numbers Show
Bondi's tenure as attorney general lasted approximately three months, making her one of the shortest-serving attorneys general in recent history. She was confirmed by the Senate on a 51-49 vote, one of the closest confirmation margins for a cabinet position in recent years.
The Senate confirmation vote of 51-49 reflected deep partisan division over her nomination. By contrast, Gaetz's withdrawal came after Senate opposition threatened to derail his confirmation, with key Republicans expressing concerns about his past conduct.
House Democrats have issued at least one subpoena to Bondi related to the Epstein files release, and Rep. Ansari has stated she must still comply with congressional oversight demands despite her firing.
The Bottom Line
The ouster of Bondi marks the second cabinet-level departure in the administration's second term, following Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The consideration of Zeldin, currently EPA administrator, for the nation's top law enforcement position signals a potential shift in priorities at the Justice Department.
Democrats have framed Bondi's removal as validation of their months of criticism, while Republicans remain divided between those who defended her tenure and those who welcomed change. The Epstein files investigation, which Democrats continue to pursue through congressional oversight, is likely to remain a point of contention regardless of who succeeds Bondi.
Zeldin would require Senate confirmation. His transition from EPA to DOJ would represent a significant shift in portfolio, though he previously served in the New York State Assembly and ran unsuccessfully for governor.