JUST IN: Trump Names Interim Replacement For Pam Bondi

President Donald Trump has officially named an interim replacement for Attorney General Pam Bondi, confirming a major shake-up at the top of the Justice Department after days of mounting speculation and reports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will step in as Acting Attorney General, praising both Bondi’s tenure and Blanche’s legal credentials.

“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” Trump wrote. “Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General.”

Trump framed Bondi’s departure as a move into the private sector, earlier reporting painted a far more turbulent picture behind the scenes.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Bondi was informed of her removal during a Wednesday night meeting in the Oval Office, just hours before Trump addressed the nation on the escalating Iran conflict. One source indicated that by the time Trump delivered that speech, Bondi was already out of the role and on her way back to Florida.

The rapid turn of events suggests that internal tensions may have reached a breaking point faster than publicly acknowledged. Behind closed doors, multiple reports indicated that Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi’s performance. Despite those tensions, Trump’s public tone remained notably positive, emphasizing Bondi’s role in what he described as a significant drop in crime nationwide.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

“Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900,” Trump wrote.

Attention is now turning to Todd Blanche, who will take over the Justice Department on an acting basis at a critical moment for the administration. A former federal prosecutor and seasoned defense attorney, Blanche is widely seen as a steady legal presence, though he could face immediate pressure as the department navigates ongoing political and legal battles.

Blanche, a senior Justice Department official and longtime attorney closely aligned with President Trump, most recently served as Deputy Attorney General before stepping into the interim role. He began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, handling violent crime and complex cases before moving into private practice.

He later became a partner at a major law firm, focusing on high-profile white-collar defense, and rose to national prominence as one of Trump’s top personal attorneys. Blanche represented the president in several major legal battles, including cases involving classified documents, election-related matters, and the so-called hush money trial.

After Trump’s return to office, Blanche’s appointment as Deputy Attorney General signaled strong trust and alignment with the president’s legal agenda. Now, as acting attorney general, he steps into one of the most powerful roles in government at a time when the Justice Department faces significant legal and political challenges.

At the same time, questions remain about who will ultimately be nominated to permanently fill the role. Multiple sources have pointed to Lee Zeldin, currently serving as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a leading contender. Trump reportedly met with Zeldin earlier this week, fueling speculation that a longer-term transition may already be in motion.