President Donald Trump is said to have delivered a brief, four-word message to former attorney general Pam Bondi before she stepped down from the job this week.
On April 2, it was confirmed that Bondi is no longer serving as attorney general. Trump said she will instead turn her focus to the “private sector.”
“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” said Trump.
“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.”
Bondi held the post for roughly 14 months. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told her on Wednesday (April 1) that her tenure as attorney general was ending.
During a car ride with Bondi, he reportedly told her: “I think it’s time,” with the change made public the next day.
Trump also announced who will take over, stating that deputy attorney general Todd Blanche will assume the duties on an interim basis. He wrote: “Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General.”
Bondi’s exit is reported to follow bipartisan backlash over how she handled the release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, with the situation said to have irritated Trump.
After news of her departure, Bondi defended her record and said she plans to work “tirelessly” alongside Blanche for the next four weeks to support the handover.
She also said she is “thrilled” to be moving into what she described as an “important private sector role.”
Bondi said: “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.
“Since February 2025, we have secured the lowest murder rate in 125 years, secured first-ever terrorism convictions against members of Antifa, shattered domestic and transnational gangs across the country, taken custody of more than 90 key cartel figures, and won 24 favorable rulings at the Supreme Court.
“I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”