President Donald Trump dismissed Pam Bondi as Attorney General on April 2, 2026, ending her tenure at the Justice Department after approximately two months in the role. Todd Blanche, who previously served as one of Trump's personal defense attorneys, was named acting Attorney General following her departure.

The White House provided limited official explanation for Bondi's removal, and the circumstances surrounding her departure remained a subject of public speculation. Blanche, appearing publicly after the announcement, pushed back against various theories circulating about why Bondi was let go, calling the speculation "simply not true."

Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, was confirmed by the Senate earlier this year after initially being nominated to lead the Justice Department. Her brief tenure coincided with a period of significant activity at the department, including high-profile prosecutorial decisions and personnel changes.

Lee Zeldin's name also surfaced in reporting connected to the Justice Department shakeup, though the exact nature of his role in the transition remained unclear based on initial coverage. The sudden leadership change marks another instance of significant turnover within Trump's second-term Cabinet.

Blanche's ascension to the acting AG role is notable given his background as a defense lawyer who represented Trump in multiple criminal cases prior to rejoining Trump's orbit in an official government capacity. His appointment requires no Senate confirmation as an acting designee.