Trump fires attorney general Pam Bondi amid Epstein files controversy

President removes his top law enforcement official after mounting criticism over handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigation documents.

President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, ending the tenure of a loyalist who dismantled Justice Department independence but faced mounting criticism over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigation files.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, will serve as acting attorney general while Trump reportedly considers Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for the permanent role.

The dismissal follows months of scrutiny over the Justice Department's release of millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking investigations. Bondi faced bipartisan criticism for allegedly mismanaging the file release and covering up key information, forcing Congress to pass legislation requiring the department to make unclassified records public.

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◈ How the world sees it

🇺🇸NPR frames the story straightforwardly as a departure amid frustration over leadership and Epstein file handling. The outlet presents the firing as part of broader cabinet instability without editorial commentary. — NPR

🇬🇧BBC emphasizes Bondi's combative congressional hearing and the political liability created by the Epstein files controversy. The coverage focuses on the administrative and political challenges that led to her removal. — BBC

🇶🇦Al Jazeera highlights concerns about Justice Department politicization under Bondi's leadership and Trump's apparent pressure for prosecutions. The outlet frames the firing within broader questions about democratic institutions. — Al Jazeera

🇩🇪Spiegel emphasizes Trump's dissatisfaction with Bondi's insufficient aggression against political opponents and her mishandling of Epstein files. The outlet portrays the firing as evidence of authoritarian tendencies in Trump's administration. — Spiegel

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