Trump reportedly ousts Attorney General Bondi amid internal friction

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to sources cited by Fox News, though the development remains unconfirmed by the administration and disputed by the Justice Department.

Bondi is said to have met with Trump in the Oval Office on the evening of April 1, shortly before the president delivered a national address on the war in Iran. Two individuals familiar with the meeting indicated that the discussion preceded her alleged removal from office.

According to the report, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to assume the role of interim attorney general. Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly weighing the appointment of Lee Zeldin, currently serving as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a potential permanent replacement.

Sources told Fox News that Trump had previously met with Zeldin at the White House on March 31, ostensibly to discuss wildfire prevention. However, the conversation reportedly extended to a possible leadership transition at the Justice Department. One source described Zeldin as a “plausible replacement,” while cautioning that the president could revise his decision at any time.

Despite the reports, the White House has not confirmed Bondi’s dismissal. Officials emphasised that Trump and Bondi “still have a good relationship,” while a Justice Department spokesperson rejected the claims outright, noting that Bondi had accompanied the president during his address.

“The AG was with (Trump) for the speech last night,” the spokesperson said.

When pressed for clarification, a White House source stopped short of confirming the dismissal but remarked that the reports were “not cold,” suggesting some basis for the speculation.

The reported shake-up follows a recent article by The New York Times, which claimed that Trump had grown increasingly dissatisfied with Bondi’s performance and was considering replacing her with Zeldin.

However, in an earlier statement cited by both Fox News and The New York Times, Trump publicly defended Bondi, describing her as “a wonderful person” who is “doing a good job.”

By Vugar Khalilov