Trump complains to aides Pam Bondi is ‘weak and ineffective’, reveals report
WASHINGTON, DC: Are things not going smoothly between President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi?
A Wall Street Journal report on Monday, January 12, states that Trump has repeatedly complained to aides that Bondi is “weak” and ineffective at advancing his agenda. The report also reveals additional frustrations the president has shared behind closed doors.
Trump’s criticism of Pam Bondi has increased in recent months
According to the WSJ report, Trump has intensified his pressure on the Justice Department to act more aggressively on his priorities.
"The criticisms appear to be part of an intense campaign by Trump to pressure the Justice Department to more aggressively pursue his priorities, some of the officials said. Trump has previously criticized Bondi at times, but his vocal concerns about his attorney general have grown more frequent in recent months, officials said.”
Although Trump continues to defend Bondi publicly, the report said he has privately explored ways to bypass her authority. "This month, Trump has talked with allies about how he could appoint special counsels at the Justice Department because he is so frustrated with what he sees as the slow progress of its work, people familiar with the matter said."
The report continued, "Chief among his grievances is what he sees as Bondi’s failure to quickly and effectively prosecute the investigators who had pursued him for years, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, the officials and others familiar with his complaints said."
"Both criminal cases were dismissed in November by a judge who said the Trump aide who secured the indictment had been improperly appointed to her post," the report shared.
What happened between Trump and Pam Bondi?
Many in Washington have long viewed Bondi as one of the Trump Cabinet members most likely to be replaced first. Her handling of the Epstein files sparked backlash from the MAGA base after she claimed the documents were “on her desk,” then released binders filled with largely irrelevant material to MAGA influencers.
Last September, Trump posted a message on Truth Social urging Bondi to prosecute his political enemies. Later reporting showed Trump had meant to send the message directly to her but accidentally posted it publicly. Addressing the message to “Pam,” Trump named former FBI Director James Comey, Sen Adam Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, writing, “They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.” He added that delays were “killing our reputation and credibility.”
The Wall Street Journal report also cited Trump’s public defense of Bondi. “Pam is doing an excellent job,” Trump said, calling her a longtime friend and claiming “tremendous progress” against what he described as “radical left lunatics.” He accused them of cheating in elections and the crimes they commit."
However, Steve Bannon told the Journal that Bondi has begun “bleeding support” from both herself and President Trump’s most loyal supporters. “Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” said Bannon, a longtime Trump adviser and influential MAGA figure.
