In a dramatic late-night decision at the White House, Donald Trump has dismissed Pam Bondi from her position as attorney general, despite her fervent attempts to retain her role.

Bondi’s departure marks the second high-profile exit from the cabinet in under a month, largely due to ongoing dissatisfaction from the MAGA base regarding her mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, a controversy that has overshadowed Trump’s Justice Department from the outset.

Despite the circumstances, Trump lauded Bondi in a post on Truth Social, calling her a “great American patriot and a loyal friend,” and commending her efforts in reducing the murder rate.

“We have great affection for Pam, and she will be moving on to an essential and significant role in the private sector, which we will announce soon,” Trump stated.

With Bondi’s exit, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will temporarily fill the role of acting attorney general while the search for a permanent replacement is underway. Bondi is anticipated to shift her career focus to the private sector.

A senior administration official revealed that Trump notified Bondi of her impending departure shortly before delivering his speech on Iran.

Bondi, 60, pleaded with the President to keep her job, begging him to give her more time, a senior administration source told the Daily Mail.

‘She was unhappy and tried to change his mind,’ the source said. 

Donald Trump, accompanied by newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks to member of the media in the Oval Office at the White House on February 5, 2025 

LAST NIGHT: Trump informed the AG last night shortly before his Iran speech that she would soon be leaving the Justice Department, according to a senior administration source. Bondi, 60, pleaded with the President to keep her job, begging him to give her more time, a senior administration source told the Daily Mail

Bondi remained at the White House during Trump’s speech before flying to her home in Florida on Thursday. 

Trump’s reasoning for the sudden dismissal comes in part because the President believes Bondi tipped off Eric Swalwell about the FBI’s efforts to release investigative documents related to his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

The FBI was preparing a cache of documents on Swalwell’s relationship with Christine Fang.

‘She’s intervening in those matters. The White House wasn’t pleased she was intervening due to her personal friendship with Swalwell,’ the source added.

It is unclear why Bondi would have intervened, but it is believed that Bondi and Swalwell have a friendly relationship.

Swalwell, a fellow lawyer, has openly criticized her since she took the AG position after failing to prosecute multiple death threats against him and his family.

Swalwell is one of the leading candidate for the California gubernatorial race as a Democrat.

Bondi traveled with Trump on Wednesday to the Supreme Court to watch proceedings for the birthright citizenship case and attended his primetime speech about the war in Iran.

Donald Trump and Pam Bondi at Mar-a-Lago in March 2016. Bondi, Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, first attached herself to Trump during the 2016 campaign, using her prosecutorial credentials to defend him on national TV 

Donald Trump speaks before Pam Bondi is sworn in as US Attorney General as her partner John Wakefield and her mother Patsy Bondi look on in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5

Bondi’s tenure was marred by her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, as the administration faced accusations of a lack of transparency

But as the President’s Cabinet gathered to focus on Iran, rumors ricocheted through Washington about Bondi’s replacement.

She’s taken a lower media profile in recent weeks as the President privately excoriates her for failing to prosecute his political enemies who tried to throw him in jail and end his political career.

Bondi’s tenure was marred by her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, as the administration faced accusations of a lack of transparency.

Reports have circulated that he is considering tapping MAGA-aligned EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin as her replacement.

‘Let’s hope it’s Zeldin,’ one former Trump administration official told the Daily Mail.

Deputy Attorney General Blanche has also been raising his profile – appearing at CPAC last week, where he received a warm welcome from conservatives.

He told the audience that he went to night school in Brooklyn – rather than an Ivy League – as he was a young father. 

Following Trump’s announcement, Blanche said in a statement: ‘Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship.

‘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 America safe.’ 

Trump said that Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general until a permanent nominee is picked

Trump’s reasoning for the sudden dismissal comes in part because the President believes Bondi tipped off Eric Swalwell about the FBI ‘s efforts to release investigative documents related to his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy

Bondi, Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, first attached herself to Trump during the 2016 campaign, using her prosecutorial credentials to defend him on national TV.

Trump’s foundation donated $25,000 to her reelection campaign in 2014.

She went on to speak at the 2016 Republican convention and joined his impeachment defense team in 2020, cementing her place in the loyalist inner circle.