The Department of Justice (DOJ) responded to a report that former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s portrait had been placed in a trash can at their headquarters following her departure this week. “Fake News vs. Real News,” the DOJ’s Rapid Response account posted. A DOJ spokesperson pointed to the post when reached by Newsweek.
President Donald Trump announced Bondi’s departure from his administration on Thursday following backlash over her handling of the department’s release of documents related to federal investigations into sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in a New York City federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking.
Earlier Friday, MS Now reported that the outlet had obtained a photograph of Bondi’s portrait thrown out in a trash can at the DOJ headquarters. More information about who allegedly trashed the portrait or their motivation to do so was unclear. MS Now reporter Ken Dilanian posted the photo to X, writing, “The portraits came down fast.”
Trump announced Bondi’s departure in a post to Truth Social. “Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900. 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,” he wrote.
Why Was Pam Bondi Fired?
Trump did not provide a reason for Bondi’s ousting in his post. Her departure comes amid ongoing backlash over the Epstein files and ahead of a House Oversight Committee hearing into the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation, for which Bondi was subpoenaed.
Trump campaigned on releasing the Epstein files, but Bondi faced criticism over their slow release and heavy redactions. The DOJ said some redactions were necessary to protect victims, but critics said the redactions likely violated a law passed by Congress last year compelling the documents’ release.
Who Could Replace Pam Bondi as Attorney General?
Todd Blanche, who had served as deputy attorney general, will serve as acting attorney general, Trump said. Blanche is a former federal prosecutor and longtime legal defender of Trump who joined his defense team ahead of the president’s New York arraignment and later led his defense in the federal classified-documents and election-obstruction cases.
Blanche ultimately became Trump’s lead trial lawyer in the New York criminal case, developing what the document describes as a “close relationship” with the president. Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin has already been floated as a potential candidate, according to Fox News.
What Did Pam Bondi Say About Her Departure?
Bondi addressed her departure in a post to X. “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.
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 wrote.
She said she remains “eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”
