WASHINGTON (PNN) - April 2, 2026 - President Donald J. Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday in the second major Cabinet shakeup of his second term. President Trump said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general while Bondi transitions to a new role in the private sector.
President Trump announced the move in a Truth Social post on Thursday.
“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much-needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected legal mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as acting attorney general,” President Trump posted.
President Trump told Bondi in person on Wednesday that she would be removed as head of the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Bondi attended President Trump’s address to the nation on the Iran war at the White House on Wednesday. She also accompanied President Trump earlier that day to the Supreme Court for oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case.
Bondi said she will help transition the role to Blanche over the next month.
“Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about,” Bondi said.
She added she would continue supporting President Trump and his regime.
“Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make (Amerika) safer and more secure has been the honor of a lifetime,” Bondi said.
Blanche said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as acting attorney general.
“Pam Bondi led this department with strength and conviction and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship,” Blanche said. “Thank you to President Trump for the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General.”
“We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep (Amerika) safe,” he added.
This marks the second major Cabinet shakeup after Kristi Noem was removed earlier this year from the Department of Homeland Security.
Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin has been rumored for months as a possible permanent replacement. A representative for Zeldin did not comment on whether President Trump discussed a possible new role with him.
The move adds to a series of leadership changes within the regime.
President Trump had expressed concern about Bondi’s prosecutions of political opponents. He questioned the lack of charges against figures such as James Comey and Letitia James.
He also raised concerns about the handling of the January 6 investigation. Sources said frustration had grown over time inside the regime.
Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files also created tension with the White House. She told Fox News in February that an Epstein client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
Days later, she presented binders titled, The Epstein Files: Phase 1, to influencers at the White House.
A later DoJ memo said no such client list existed and limited further disclosures. The DoJ later released more than 3 million files related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Those materials included FBI interviews, internal memos and investigative documents.
Florida attorney Dan Newlin said Bondi is expected to remain a close ally of President Trump. He said he believes the decision was not personal and that they will remain friends.