President Donald Trump talked to Attorney General Pam Bondi Wednesday about the possibility she would be replaced, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. But as of Thursday, she remained in her job and had not been fired, one of the officials said.
Trump had in recent days talked to allies about the possibility of firing Bondi, but the conversation directly with her is an indication of how seriously he is considering it. In the conversation Wednesday, which one source described as “tough,” Trump indicated Bondi was not long for her role and he would be replacing her in the near future, sources said.
It was not immediately clear when that might be, and one of the sources said Bondi was told she would be given a different job later. Bondi was in attendance for Trump’s address to the nation Wednesday. CNN has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.
Trump has been frustrated with Bondi on multiple fronts, sources said. In particular, he is upset over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and he has also fumed that she has not investigated or prosecuted enough of his political opponents.
Sources have told CNN that Trump is considering replacing Bondi with Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin, though others are also under consideration. In a statement Wednesday addressing reports that Trump had mused about replacing Bondi, the president said, “Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
