Even some of MAGA’s most ardent backers are not sold on President Donald Trump’s new pick to lead the Justice Department—even in the interim.
Trump fired Pam Bondi as the nation’s top prosecutor on Thursday, then announced in the same Truth Social post that her top deputy, Todd Blanche, would fill her role until he appoints a new attorney general.
Blanche, who was once Trump’s personal attorney, has not been universally welcomed with open arms into what has become a fractured MAGA coalition—marred by infighting over the Epstein files, which Bondi flubbed, and war with Iran, which is inflicting pain at the pump for Americans.
“If you think Bondi was bad, Blanche will be 100 times worse,” posted Sara Gonzales, a host on the right-wing media network Blaze TV. “Mark my words.”
Mike Cernovich, a prominent right-wing commentator, agreed with Gonzales in a reply on X, writing that Blanche “will be Bill Barr all over again.”
Cernovich appeared to be a Bondi fan in February 2025, accepting a photo op in the Oval Office and walking away with a binder labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase One.” In reality, the binder contained no new information, and those involved in the stunt continue to be mocked for it.
Laura Loomer, a harsh critic of Bondi who gave her the derogatory nickname “Pam Blondie,” was among the MAGA figures not convinced that her interim replacement is a homerun hire.
“Pam Bondi has been FIRED as US Attorney General,” Loomer wrote on X. “Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will be temporarily replacing @PamBondi, which will be interesting given the fact that Blanche is a Democrat.”
Kambree Nelson, a conservative influencer for the America First Policy Institute, said she could not “shake that image of Todd Blanche having lunch in Florida with CNN’s Caitlan [sic] Collins.”
She continued, “Now he’s serving as interim Attorney General. And just like that, you’re reminded how small the circle really is. Politics isn’t just messy. It’s tight-knit in ways most people never see.”
The Daily Beast reached out to the DOJ for comment.
Reached for comment, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told the Daily Beast in a statement: “Todd Blanche is an American patriot who fearlessly fought against the Democrats’ unprecedented lawfare campaign on behalf of President Trump. In his new role as Acting Attorney General, Todd will continue to be a tireless advocate for sanity, law and order, and policies that keep Americans safe.”
Bondi, 60, tried to spin her firing as something she was gladly accepting, writing in a post on Thursday that she “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.”
Trump sacked the former Florida prosecutor over her handling of the Epstein files and her lack of prosecutions against his enemies, insiders told The New York Times. Blanche has also been criticized for his handling of the files and for his two days of meetings with Epstein’s top associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, which preceded the administration’s decision to move her to a cushy new prison complete with anti-aging cream for sale and puppies to play with last year.
Bondi’s appearance during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee last month saw her melt down under tough questions and refuse to look directly at victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who were attending her public grilling.
Bondi was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee to testify over her department’s handling of the Epstein files, with a deposition date scheduled for April 14.
Though she is no longer attorney general, Democrats on the Oversight Committee have said Bondi must still testify.
“She will not escape accountability and remains legally obligated to appear before our Committee under oath,” said ranking member Robert Garcia.
Blanche, 51, did not diss Bondi on her way out. He said that she “led this Department with strength and conviction, and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship.”
The acting attorney general previously served as Trump’s personal defense lawyer in a number of lawsuits levied against the president, including his New York trial over hush-money payments to the pornstar Stormy Daniels.
Blanche was registered as a Democrat before he represented Trump, and changed his party affiliation to Republican in 2024.
Bondi’s ousting marks the second major Cabinet shakeup of MAGA 2.0, coming just weeks after the so-called ICE Barbie Kristi Noem was axed as Homeland Security Secretary and swiftly replaced by Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
