Former US Attorney General Pam Bondi steps down under Trumps leadership

US President Donald Trump has announced that Pam Bondi will no longer serve as attorney general. The decision was confirmed on Thursday, following reports suggesting Trump was considering removing Bondi from her role.

Bondi will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in an interim capacity. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Bondi as “a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend” who served faithfully as his attorney general over the past year.

Trump also praised Bondi for her leadership during a period of declining violent crime rates in the US, which has been part of a broader trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Bondi had been closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, leading to concerns about the independence of the Department of Justice.

In recent months, top prosecutors under Bondi’s command have announced investigations and criminal charges against Trump’s political opponents. Trump addressed a social media post directly to Bondi in September, urging her to take action against three critics, including Senator Adam Schiff and former FBI director James Comey. Indictments were subsequently delivered against two of the individuals.

Critics and legal groups, including the American Bar Association, have expressed concerns that such actions may be seen as politically motivated prosecutions. Bondi has also faced criticism for her handling of investigative files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump did not provide a reason for his decision, stating only that he “loves” Bondi and that she will be transitioning to a new role in the private sector.

Source: Al Jazeera