Acting AG Todd Blanche says Pam Bondi’s firing didn't have anything to do with Epstein files

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Pam Bondi as well as claimed that her firing has nothing to do with the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.

“A lot of what you just said about what happened to the attorney general is simply not true,” Blanche told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Thursday, April 2, during his appearance on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’ after being promoted to acting AG.

Todd Blanche never heard Trump say Pam Bondi's firing was due to handling of Epstein files

Blanche further claimed that he “never heard President Trump say that the attorney general –  that anything that happened to her –  had anything to do with the Epstein files.” 

His response came after Watters referred to reports suggesting Bondi was fired because of the handling of the Epstein case. She also apparently faced the wrath of President Donald Trump for allegedly leaking FBI plans to release files related to Rep Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) past ties to a Chinese spy.

But Blanche told the host that he “would not believe that for a second, absolutely positively not.”

In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump said that Bondi "will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future.” 

"Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900. We love Pam," he shared. 

Trump had blasted Pam Bondi in the past for not taking action

In the past, Trump had slammed Bondi for not charging his enemies. In a September 2025 Truth Social post, the Republican leader wrote, “I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia???’”

“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!” he had added.  

Todd Blanche says he 'appreciates' Trump's frustration

Blanche took Trump’s frustration into account as he told Watters, “Look, I think the president is frustrated, everybody is frustrated, because what we saw happen for the past four years, is unforgivable and can never happen again! And so certainly I don’t mind the frustration.”

“I appreciate the frustration, because we do have to make sure that what happened for four years never happens again, and we don’t talk about investigations, but I can tell you that the Department of Justice is working hard every day,” he, however, insisted.

Todd Blanche hails Pam Bondi for making 'our country safe again'

During the interview, Blanche also expressed his gratitude after being asked to serve as the acting attorney general. But he also praised Bondi and her service.

“The attorney general made our country safe again, and she is a friend, and she did a great job in the first year of this administration … we are a better Justice Department, we are safer as a nation and we should all be very grateful to the attorney general for her sacrifice for this country,” the former prosecutor stressed.