President Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi as attorney general, a source told CNN.
For now, she will be replaced by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Her removal was announced Thursday.
In recent days, Trump talked with confidants about the possibility of firing Bondi. He spoke with her personally Wednesday about the possibility of her removal, sources said.
One source described the conversation as “tough.”
Trump indicated Bondi would not stay in her role for long and he would be replacing her in the near future, sources said.
Sources said Bondi was told she would be given a different job in the future.
In their conversation, two sources said Trump floated the possibility of appointing her as a judge.
Bondi was at Trump’s address to the nation Wednesday.
Trump has been frustrated with Bondi on many fronts, sources said.
In particular, he is upset over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. He has also fumed that she has not investigated or prosecuted enough of his political opponents.
While Blanche takes over leadership of the department for now, sources have told CNN that Trump is considering replacing Bondi with Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin. Other are also being considered.
