Trump mulls over replacing Attorney General Pam Bondi due to internal frustrations: Report

In recent days, US President Donald Trump has privately contemplated the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi due to growing frustration with her leadership at the Justice Department and her management of issues related to Jeffrey Epstein.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Trump is likely to succeed Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin, who currently leads the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin, an attorney and veteran, maintains a close alliance with Trump after his loss in the 2022 New York governor’s race. Prior to his role at the EPA, he served New York’s 1st congressional district.

These discussions come amidst increasing discontent among Trump’s political base regarding the administration’s approach to Epstein-related matters, as well as worries that Bondi has not been aggressive enough in investigating political adversaries.
Bondi is also scheduled to face a deposition later this month as part of a congressional inquiry connected to Epstein.

Sources indicate that Trump has yet to make a final decision on the matter. Despite reported frustrations, the President has publicly backed Bondi, referring to her as “a wonderful person” and asserting that she is performing well. Individuals familiar with the situation characterized their recent interactions as “business as usual.”

It was reported that the idea to replace Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin first arose in January but lost traction as interest around Jeffrey Epstein waned. Some officials within the Justice Department felt that the ongoing controversy had largely diminished.

However, talks about a potential leadership shift reemerged in the West Wing earlier this week.

While Zeldin is frequently mentioned as a candidate, sources indicate he may not be the sole choice, as other possible candidates are also being considered.

Within the administration, Bondi reportedly has significant supporters, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who has stepped in during periods of internal critique.

Nevertheless, concerns regarding her management of Epstein-related issues persist. Wiles has acknowledged to a Vanity Fair reporter that the attorney general “completely whiffed” in her handling of the Epstein documents.

Bondi, confirmed as attorney general in 2025, was the President’s second selection to lead the Justice Department, following the withdrawal of former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz from Florida.