United States President Donald Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi and is weighing a broader cabinet shake-up, with several senior administration officials now reportedly facing the possibility of removal.
Trump announced Bondi’s dismissal on Thursday, removing her as the nation’s top prosecutor following bipartisan backlash over her leadership at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. She is the second Trump cabinet member to be ousted this term, following Kristi Noem’s departure as Homeland Security Secretary last month.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Bondi as a loyal friend while confirming her exit. He named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting attorney general following her departure. Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal defence attorney.
Trump had been frustrated with Bondi on multiple fronts, including her handling of the Epstein files and her failure to investigate or prosecute enough of his political opponents. One source said Trump felt the Bondi dismissal went smoothly, making him less wary of removing others.
Hours after Bondi’s departure, Politico reported that Trump may have his sights set on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. An administration official told the publication that the president is “very angry and is going to be moving people.”
The Atlantic separately reported that active discussions are underway about the possible departure of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, though the timing remains uncertain and the president had not yet reached a final decision.
The White House pushed back publicly, with spokesperson Davis Ingle stating that Trump has “the most talented cabinet and team in American history,” and that officials including Patel, Chavez-DeRemer, and Driscoll are “tirelessly implementing the President’s agenda and achieving tremendous results.”
The personnel turbulence extends to the military. Bondi’s removal came on the same day the Department of Defense moved to dismiss Army Chief of Staff General Randy George.
The personnel upheaval is unfolding against the backdrop of Trump’s ongoing and unpopular war in Iran, with the president’s approval rating hovering in the low forties depending on the poll.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin is on the shortlist to replace Bondi as attorney general, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
