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What is the story about?
US President Donald Trump has, in recent days, privately considered removing Attorney General Pam Bondi, amid growing frustration over her leadership at the Justice Department and her handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump is likely to replace Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin, an attorney and veteran, has remained a close ally of Trump after losing the 2022 New York governor’s race. Before his role in the EPA, he represented New York’s 1st congressional district.
The reported deliberations come amid growing dissatisfaction within Trump’s political base over the administration’s handling of issues related to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as concerns that Bondi has not pursued investigations against political opponents aggressively enough.
Bondi is also expected to face a deposition l ater this month as part of a congressional probe linked to Epstein.
Sources indicate that Trump has not made a final decision in this matter. Despite the reported frustration, the President publicly expressed support for Bondi, calling her “a wonderful person” and stating that she is doing a good job. Officials familiar with the situation described recent interactions between the two as “business as usual.”
Sources said the proposal to replace Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin initially emerged in January but lost momentum as attention around Jeffrey Epstein faded from the news. Some Justice Department officials believed the prolonged controversy had largely subsided.
However, discussions about a possible leadership change resurfaced in the West Wing earlier this week.
While Zeldin is said to be a frequently mentioned option, sources suggest he may not necessarily be the final choice, with other potential candidates also under consideration.
Within the administration, Bondi is said to have key supporters, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who has previously intervened during periods of internal criticism.
However, concerns over her handling of the Epstein-related matters have persisted. Speaking with a reporter for Vanity Fair, Wiles has admitted that the attorney general "completely whiffed" in her handling of the Epstein papers.
Bondi, who was confirmed as attorney general in 2025, was the President's second pick to lead the Justice Department, after former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump is likely to replace Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin, an attorney and veteran, has remained a close ally of Trump after losing the 2022 New York governor’s race. Before his role in the EPA, he represented New York’s 1st congressional district.
The reported deliberations come amid growing dissatisfaction within Trump’s political base over the administration’s handling of issues related to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as concerns that Bondi has not pursued investigations against political opponents aggressively enough.
Bondi is also expected to face a deposition l ater this month as part of a congressional probe linked to Epstein.
Sources indicate that Trump has not made a final decision in this matter. Despite the reported frustration, the President publicly expressed support for Bondi, calling her “a wonderful person” and stating that she is doing a good job. Officials familiar with the situation described recent interactions between the two as “business as usual.”
Sources said the proposal to replace Pam Bondi with Lee Zeldin initially emerged in January but lost momentum as attention around Jeffrey Epstein faded from the news. Some Justice Department officials believed the prolonged controversy had largely subsided.
However, discussions about a possible leadership change resurfaced in the West Wing earlier this week.
While Zeldin is said to be a frequently mentioned option, sources suggest he may not necessarily be the final choice, with other potential candidates also under consideration.
Within the administration, Bondi is said to have key supporters, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who has previously intervened during periods of internal criticism.
However, concerns over her handling of the Epstein-related matters have persisted. Speaking with a reporter for Vanity Fair, Wiles has admitted that the attorney general "completely whiffed" in her handling of the Epstein papers.
Bondi, who was confirmed as attorney general in 2025, was the President's second pick to lead the Justice Department, after former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew.
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