Donald Trump told the now former US Attorney-General Pam Bondi her time in his administration was up while the two rode from the White House to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, according to a report.
“I think it’s time,” Mr Trump said as he and Ms Bondi made the short ride across town to take in the oral arguments of a highly contested birthright citizenship case, theWall Street Journal reported.
The four words brought Ms Bondi’s tenure as the US government’s top lawyer to an end.
Ms Bondi, who was sworn in as the United States Attorney-General last February, allegedly asked the 79-year-old commander in chief if she could remain at her post until the summer.
Mr Trump denied the request, according to the outlet.
The two had discussed Bondi’s tenure in the administration since the beginning of the year, as Mr Trump seemingly expressed dissatisfaction with the speed she was moving on his agenda, the report stated.
Not one singular issue was the reasoning for Ms Bondi’s termination, but “a steady drip of frustrations,” including the handling of the Epstein files and lack of positive news coverage directed at the Department of Justice, sources told the outlet.
Despite learning her fate on the ride early on Wednesday, Ms Bondi remained at the White House through the evening when she attended Mr Trump’s prime time address to the nation on the Iran war, the New York Post reported.
Ms Bondi’s ouster was the second major shake-up in Mr Trump’s administration after he previously axed Kristi Noem as US Secretary of Homeland Security.
“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much-needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney-General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney-General,” the US president posted on Truth Social Thursday.
Mr Blanche is a possible permanent replacement for his former boss, but Mr Trump has also eyed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to take the helm of the Justice Department.
The former Long Island congressman is a rumoured favourite to succeed Ms Bondi among a list of staunch Trump supporters, including DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Texas Attorney-General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Thursday night, Ms Bondi addressed her firing, vowing to continue to fight for Mr Trump.
“Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make America safer and more secure has been the honour of a lifetime, and easily the most consequential first year of the Department of Justice in American history,” she posted on X.
“I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”
The story was published in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.
