A humiliated Pam Bondi fled from Washington D.C. after failing to convince Donald Trump to keep her as the nation’s attorney general.
The axing came not long after Bondi accompanied Trump to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, where sources say the possibility of replacing her was raised as they shared a ride in the presidential limo.
The 60-year-old, who was born and raised in Tampa, is now back in Florida after the president officially dumped her, making her the second Trump cabinet official to be fired in less than a month.
But in her first comments about the sacking, the newly ousted MAGA acolyte put on a brave front, writing on X that she remained “eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”
She also posted photos of herself at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, partnering with local sheriffs and officials from the NFL Hall of Fame to promote a national child safety initiative.
“Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration,” she said in an X post on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after Trump announced her departure.
“Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make America safer and more secure has been the honor of a lifetime, and easily the most consequential first year of the Department of Justice in American history,” she added.
Accompanied by Bondi to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend oral arguments, staring down the justices as they weighed his bid to end birthright citizenship in America.
However, he abruptly exited the hearing after watching some of his own handpicked justices tear his arguments apart, and later issued a furious post, lashing out.
An hour later, the president hosted an Easter Lunch at the White House with Bondi in attendance.
The attorney general was also in the front row as Trump gave his prime time address to the nation on the Iran war on Wednesday night, and joined Cabinet colleagues such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vice President JD Vance in a standing ovation after he finished his low-energy speech.
She was photographed smiling as she left the Cross Hall of the White House, where Trump had given his 9pm speech, which lasted less than 20 minutes.
However, unable to convince the president to keep her in the job, Bondi left D.C. where she resides part time - reportedly on one several military bases where other Trump officials also live - when she is not at her other home in Florida.
Trump has always been warm towards Bondi, but has become increasingly frustrated over the Epstein files and what he sees as her inability to deliver on prosecuting his perceived enemies.
She had also come under fire within MAGA world over everything from her handling of the Epstein firestorm and her epic meltdown at a congressional hearing last month, to her lack of “deep state” prosecutions.
Texas Congressman Chip Roy said Republicans wanted to see “heads rolling,” citing grievances such as January 6’ers seeking justice, “radical Marxist networks” needing to be weeded out and accountability over the so-called Russia-gate scandal.
“It’s critical we have a great leader at the top of the department,” he told Fox News.
“Obviously we thank Pam for her service... but the next person who’s heading the Department of Justice has got to be aggressive.“
However, other MAGA Republicans, such as fellow Floridian Rick Scott, were far more supportive.
“Pam Bondi is a great friend and one of the best lawyers I’ve ever met,” he said.
“She did an incredible job as Florida’s Attorney General when I was Governor, and she has been an incredible U.S. Attorney General.”
Trump announced Bondi’s departure on social media around lunchtime on Wednesday, and appointed her deputy, Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, as interim attorney general. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin is also being considered for the post, which would require Senate confirmation.
“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that “we love Pam.”
But while Blanche is viewed as a staunch loyalist, some insiders have told the Daily Beast that Blanche could be a risk for the permanent position because he is viewed by some as “the face” of the Epstein firestorm.
Bondi’s firing comes less than a month after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also fired following a string of scandals, from a taxpayer-funded luxury jet to her alleged affair with her adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
Reports have also emerged that Trump recently polled his advisers about firing a third woman from his cabinet, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, with whom he has been at odds over the Iran war.
Writing on X, Blanche thanked Trump for “the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General.”
“We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe,” he said.
He added: “Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship.”
