President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that Pam Bondi is out as attorney general.
According to Newsmax's Ed Henry, the president's growing frustration that Bondi had not moved quickly enough to pursue indictments against Democrats over alleged "lawfare" contributed to her ouster.
Trump said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as her replacement for now.
"Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900," Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
"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," Trump concluded.
Trump reportedly has considered replacing Bondi with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Sources familiar with the discussions told multiple outlets that Trump has not made a final decision but has floated Zeldin as a potential successor along with other candidates.
Zeldin, a former New York congressman and longtime Trump ally, is widely seen as a loyal figure who has advanced the president's "energy dominance" agenda at the EPA.
Trump had recently discussed with allies the possibility of removing Bondi and spoke with her directly about it on Wednesday. One source described the conversation as "tough," with Trump indicating she would soon be replaced.
Sources say Bondi was told she could be offered another role, with Trump even floating the possibility of a judicial appointment following her departure from the Department of Justice.
Bondi attended Trump's address to the nation Wednesday. The Justice Department has not publicly commented.
The president's frustrations reportedly extend beyond the pace of prosecutions. Sources say he has also been dissatisfied with Bondi's handling of matters related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as what he sees as insufficient action against political opponents.
Among the issues drawing Trump's attention is a review of whether former CIA Director John Brennan made false statements to Congress regarding intelligence assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Career prosecutors in Miami have reportedly questioned the strength of the case, though it remains under review for potential charges in Washington.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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