President Donald Trump has now privately expressed growing frustration with Attorney General Pam Bondi, repeatedly telling aides in recent weeks that she has been “weak” and “ineffective” when it comes to carrying out his agenda, according to a report published Monday by The Wall Street Journal.
The report described Bondi as one of the Cabinet officials most widely viewed as being on the shortest leash, with some inside Trump’s orbit long believing she could be among the first to be replaced. That perception intensified following Bondi’s handling of the release of the so-called Epstein Files, which sparked backlash among members of the MAGA base. Bondi had previously said the files were “on her desk,” only for the eventual release to consist of binders filled with information many supporters viewed as irrelevant, fueling anger and disappointment.
Trump’s dissatisfaction with Bondi is not new. Last September, he posted a message on Truth Social urging her to pursue prosecutions of several of his political adversaries. Subsequent reporting revealed the post was accidental and had been intended as a private text message to Bondi. Addressed simply to “Pam,” the message called out former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff of California, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, with Trump asserting they were “guilty as hell” and warning that continued inaction was damaging his administration’s reputation and credibility.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s recent complaints reflect a broader and more intense effort to pressure the Justice Department to aggressively advance his priorities. While Trump has criticized Bondi at various points in the past, officials told the paper that his concerns have become more frequent and more pointed in recent months.
Publicly, Trump has continued to defend Bondi, but the Journal reported that behind the scenes he has explored ways to work around her leadership. This month, Trump discussed with allies the possibility of appointing special counsels within the Justice Department, driven by his frustration over what he views as slow progress. Central to his complaints is what he sees as Bondi’s failure to swiftly prosecute individuals who investigated him for years, including Comey and Letitia James. The report noted that both criminal cases were dismissed in November by a judge who ruled that the Trump aide who secured the indictment had been improperly appointed.
Despite the private criticism outlined in the report, Trump offered a strong public statement praising Bondi. “Pam is doing an excellent job,” Trump said, adding that she has been his friend for many years and claiming “tremendous progress” is being made against what he described as “radical left lunatics.”
Not everyone in Trump’s circle shares that view. Steve Bannon told the Wall Street Journal that Bondi is losing support among some of Trump’s most loyal backers. Bannon said supporters are increasingly frustrated and eager to see tangible action, which they believe has yet to materialize.
The situation fits a familiar pattern. Trump has a long history of clashing with Justice Department leaders he believes are not doing enough to defend him or advance his priorities. During his first term, he repeatedly criticized and insulted his original attorney general, Jeff Sessions, openly accusing him of failing to fully wield the power of the department on Trump’s behalf.
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