President Donald Trump has discussed firing Attorney General Pam Bondi in recent days as he grows frustrated with her leadership at the Justice Department and her handling of the Epstein files, according to reporting by The New York Times and CNN published April 1, 2026. Trump has floated replacing Bondi with Lee Zeldin, the current administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, according to four people familiar with the conversations cited by the Times and multiple sources cited by CNN — all speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private presidential deliberations.
The reports represent the most concrete indication yet that Bondi's tenure at the Justice Department may be nearing its end. While Trump issued a brief public statement defending her — saying "Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job" — the same sources described an accumulation of private grievances that have been building for months.
The Epstein File Fallout
At the core of Trump's frustration is the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files — the release and subsequent reaction to which became a prolonged political liability. The release of Epstein-related documents under Bondi's watch generated significant backlash among Trump's political base, who expected more sweeping disclosures implicating political figures. The fallout dominated conservative media for weeks and opened the administration to sustained criticism from allies and opponents alike.
CNN reported that Trump "has asked people about replacing Bondi" partly because of the "backlash and anger in his base over the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files." The president's frustration was compounded by what sources described as Bondi's struggles as a public communicator — an attribute Trump has historically prized in his cabinet picks.
The timing adds pressure: Bondi is scheduled to give a deposition before the House Oversight Committee on April 14, after being subpoenaed by the Republican-led committee to testify about the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein. That upcoming congressional appearance, which could generate additional negative headlines, is another factor reportedly weighing on the White House.
Why Zeldin?
The name of Lee Zeldin as a possible replacement is notable. Zeldin, a former congressman who represented New York's 1st congressional district, has been serving as EPA administrator since the start of Trump's second term. He is a trained attorney and was described by sources close to the matter as a close ally of the president heading into the 2024 election cycle.
Zeldin ran for governor of New York in 2022, losing to Kathy Hochul in a race that nonetheless outperformed expectations for a Republican in the state. That race raised his national profile and deepened his relationship with Trump. His legal background makes him plausible as an attorney general candidate, though the role would represent a significant departure from his work at EPA.
Moving Zeldin to Justice would also create a vacancy at EPA — a significant post given ongoing policy battles over environmental regulation and the administration's energy agenda.
The DOJ Aggressiveness Problem
Beyond the Epstein files, Trump has reportedly vented about the Justice Department's perceived lack of aggressiveness in pursuing investigations into his political adversaries. This has been a recurring tension throughout Bondi's tenure. According to The New York Times, Trump has complained to people who have spoken with him recently about what he sees as insufficient prosecutorial action against his foes.
In September 2025, Trump posted publicly on Truth Social in a message that appeared addressed directly to Bondi, writing: "Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, [are] essentially, same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done." That public airing of grievances — unusual even by Trump standards — signaled friction that apparently never fully resolved.
CNN reported that earlier chatter about replacing Bondi surfaced in January 2026 but died down after the Minnesota unrest and then the outbreak of conflict with Iran pushed other stories off the front page. Now, with the Epstein deposition approaching and base dissatisfaction persisting, those discussions appear to have resumed with greater intensity.
The Public-Private Gap
The gap between Trump's public statements and private discussions is a familiar pattern. Bondi was photographed accompanying Trump to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 1, for oral arguments on birthright citizenship — an optic her allies cited to argue she remains in good standing. A source told CNN the pair were conducting "business as usual."
A spokesman for Bondi referred questions to Trump's published statement. The White House did not elaborate beyond the president's brief comment to the Times.
The Independent reported that Trump had not made a final decision as of publication — a caveat consistent with how similar personnel deliberations have played out in his administrations. Multiple cabinet officers have navigated extended periods of uncertainty before either surviving or departing.
What It Means
Whether or not Bondi is ultimately removed, the public reporting of these deliberations itself has consequences. It signals to the Justice Department workforce and to outside actors — including those under investigation or in ongoing legal proceedings — that the attorney general's tenure is in question. It also reinforces a broader pattern in the second Trump administration of personnel churn driven by the president's shifting loyalties and media-driven frustrations.
For Zeldin, the public mention as a potential successor locks him into a position of either acceptance or rejection of a possible promotion. It also raises questions about who would then helm the EPA at a moment when the agency is central to the administration's energy and deregulation agenda.
The April 14 Bondi deposition before the House Oversight Committee now becomes an inflection point. If it produces unflattering headlines, it could accelerate a decision Trump has reportedly been circling for months.
The Epstein files — the documents that were supposed to be a trophy of transparency — have instead become the instrument of Bondi's political unraveling inside the administration that appointed her.