President Donald Trump has voiced growing frustration with Attorney General Pam Bondi, citing concerns over the handling of key legal matters.
The latest wave of complaints includes high-profile prosecutions that Trump believes have gone off-track, as well as Bondi’s approach to the sensitive and ongoing Jeffrey Epstein files.
According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s dissatisfaction with Bondi has reached a boiling point, especially over her failure to take decisive action against several of his political adversaries.
Bondi’s Inaction on Key Prosecutions Raises Eyebrows
Trump’s grievances are centered around Bondi’s reluctance or inability to prosecute individuals he sees as his enemies.
Among the figures in question are former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have clashed with the president in the past.
According to sources close to Trump, he feels Bondi has failed to deliver the legal action that many of his supporters desperately want to see, particularly surrounding the investigations into the 2020 election and the Russia probe.
These frustrations are compounded by Trump’s belief that Bondi has not handled the Epstein files with the urgency or transparency he had expected.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who is known for her blunt assessments, has even suggested that Bondi “whiffed” on the Epstein case, a sentiment echoed in Vanity Fair‘s controversial cover story last month.
Steve Bannon Weighs In on Bondi’s Performance
Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of Trump, also weighed in on the issue, claiming that Bondi’s support is “bleeding,” especially among the president’s most loyal supporters.
“Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” Bannon told The Wall Street Journal.
He noted that Trump’s base wants to see investigations into the 2020 election—which Trump continues to falsely claim was stolen—and into the 2016 Russia investigation.
Bannon’s remarks suggest that Bondi’s perceived inaction on these issues is creating a growing sense of dissatisfaction.
White House Defends Bondi Amidst Criticism
In the face of these criticisms, the White House has moved swiftly to defend Attorney General Pam Bondi.
President Trump himself released a statement praising her work, insisting that she has been doing an “excellent job” and making “tremendous progress” against what he described as “radical left lunatics.”
Trump also reiterated his long-standing personal friendship with Bondi, emphasizing her work on election integrity and fighting crime.
Vice President Kamala Harris, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined in the defense, sending supportive messages to The Daily Mail.
Rubio, Bondi, and Wiles all have deep political ties to Florida, where they initially made their names in the political world.
Trump Pushes for More Aggressive DOJ Actions
The criticisms aimed at Bondi appear to be part of a broader campaign by Trump to pressure the Department of Justice (DOJ) into taking a more aggressive stance on his political agenda.
Bondi, like many members of Trump’s inner circle, was selected by the president, but the DOJ is traditionally expected to operate with a certain degree of independence.
Trump, however, has been pushing for the DOJ to align more closely with his objectives, including the continued pursuit of cases involving Comey and James.
In November, a judge dismissed fraud charges against Comey and James, ruling that the cases had been improperly handled.
The judge’s decision stemmed from concerns over the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s choice for acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, whom the judge deemed improperly installed.
Despite this setback, Trump has continued to press for the cases to move forward.
Epstein Files and the Mounting Pressure on Bondi
Another major source of tension between Trump and Bondi revolves around the ongoing investigation into the Epstein files.
After Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death, Trump promised a full release of the files during his 2024 campaign.
However, Bondi’s handling of the case has been widely criticized for failing to deliver on that promise.
The attorney general has been accused of handing out binders full of already publicly available documents to influencers in an attempt to stir interest, but critics argue this was a half-hearted effort.
Susie Wiles, who has been outspoken in her criticism of Bondi’s approach, claimed that Bondi “completely whiffed” on the Epstein case.
Wiles was particularly frustrated by Bondi’s claim that the witness or client list was sitting on her desk, a statement that was quickly debunked as false.
The president’s public stance on the matter has been more diplomatic, but sources say he remains dissatisfied with the pace and direction of the Epstein investigation.
Bondi’s Absence at Key Moments Raises Questions
Adding to the tension, Bondi was notably absent from several high-profile moments that would have typically involved the Attorney General.
For instance, during Trump’s recent press conference in Florida announcing the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Bondi was conspicuously missing, despite the DOJ’s involvement in the matter.
While Bondi has long been a key player in Florida politics, her recent absence from certain key events and her lack of involvement in handling important cases have raised eyebrows.
Trump’s Relationship with Previous Attorneys General
This isn’t the first time Trump has had a rocky relationship with an Attorney General.
His fallout with former AG Jeff Sessions is well-documented, with Trump famously firing Sessions after Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation.
Trump also had a contentious relationship with Bill Barr, whom he appointed to the AG position but later grew frustrated with after Barr publicly stated that there was no evidence of widespread election fraud in 2020.
Trump’s anger over Barr’s statements ultimately led to Barr’s resignation.
These past conflicts may inform Trump’s current dissatisfaction with Bondi.
Given his history of falling out with key figures in his administration, it seems that Bondi’s ability to meet Trump’s expectations could determine how long she remains in his good graces.
What’s Next for Pam Bondi and the Trump Administration?
As the pressure continues to mount on Pam Bondi, it remains to be seen how her relationship with Trump will evolve.
The Attorney General’s handling of the Epstein files, as well as her failure to follow through on prosecutions that align with Trump’s agenda, could ultimately define her future in the administration.
While Trump continues to publicly defend her, his dissatisfaction may result in changes to her role or even her departure from office.
For now, the tension between the two is palpable, and the legal battles continue to unfold.
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