President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi is leaving the Department of Justice and that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will step in as acting attorney general. Trump said Bondi will move to a private sector job that will be announced soon and thanked her for her service, marking yet another high profile personnel change inside the administration, as reported by KSTP.
What Trump Posted
In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote "We love Pam" and said Blanche would "step in to serve as Acting Attorney General," according to KSTP. The outlet noted that Trump framed Bondi's exit as a shift to a private sector post that will be announced "in the near future."
Who Is Todd Blanche?
Todd Blanche, who was confirmed as deputy attorney general last year, previously worked as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan and served on Trump's legal team, according to Time. As deputy, he has been central to several high profile decisions inside the DOJ and will now oversee the department as acting attorney general until the White House names a permanent successor or the Senate confirms a nominee.
Why Bondi Left
Bondi had drawn scrutiny inside and outside Washington over the department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein materials and for pursuing prosecutions critics say were politically motivated, as reported by The Guardian. That controversy, together with recent congressional oversight, left the attorney general politically vulnerable.
What Comes Next
White House officials have not released a timeline for Bondi's formal departure or for any permanent replacement, and it is unclear whether Blanche will seek Senate confirmation to remain beyond an acting capacity, Axios reported. Capitol Hill reaction and any formal filings or resignations will be the next key developments to watch.
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