Pam Bondi’s extreme political loyalty to Trump wasn’t enough to save her job

It’s not unusual for presidents to select attorneys general who share their views and policy preferences. But Trump has gone far beyond what is usually done.

By: Austin Sarat, Amherst College, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 3, 2026

Words: 1,313

Last Updated: 3 months, 4 weeks ago

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By Austin Sarat, Amherst College

After President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2, 2026, news reports suggested that she fell from grace, not for being too independent, but for not being effective enough at defending him and prosecuting his political enemies.

As The New York Times reported the previous day, Trump was disappointed with “Ms. Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which has become a political liability …

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