President Donald Trump has tapped Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General of the United States, as acting Attorney General after removing Pam Bondi amid scrutiny over Epstein-related files.
Blanche, a former federal prosecutor and one-time personal attorney to Trump, was elevated to lead the Justice Department on an interim basis following Bondi’s ouster on April 2, a move the White House confirmed after days of mounting criticism tied to the handling of records connected to Jeffrey Epstein, as previously reported on by The Dallas Express.
The change comes after Trump had privately discussed replacing Bondi in the days leading up to her removal, including floating Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin as a possible successor, according to people familiar with the matter, per The New York Times. That report indicated frustration within the administration had been building for months, particularly over the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related disclosures and broader prosecutorial priorities.
Bondi took to social media to respond to the changeover:
Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration.…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 2, 2026
Blanche, who the Senate confirmed in March 2025 as Deputy Attorney General, brings a background that includes more than eight years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and stints at major law firms. He also previously represented former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in a New York fraud case.
His rise within Trump’s orbit marked a notable political shift. As recently as 2024, Blanche had been a registered Democrat before switching parties while representing Trump in multiple legal matters, a career move that involved leaving a prominent law firm partnership to defend the then-former president, according to The New York Times.
Blanche’s record at the Justice Department signals a focus on aggressive immigration enforcement.
In a March 6, 2025, memorandum to department employees, Blanche emphasized that U.S. attorneys’ offices are “on the front lines” of combating illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations. The memo directed prosecutors, particularly in border districts such as Texas, to prioritize cases involving illegal entry, firearm possession by noncitizens, and obstruction of immigration enforcement, while also encouraging the use of terrorism-related charges against groups tied to cartel activity.
On the politically sensitive Epstein files, Blanche has defended the administration’s approach to releasing documents. He said previously that redactions and delays were necessary “to protect victims,” while rejecting accusations that the administration was withholding information for other reasons, according to remarks reported by PBS.
Bondi’s dismissal follows bipartisan criticism over the limited release of Epstein-related materials, with some lawmakers alleging the department had failed to meet transparency requirements.
Trump, however, publicly praised Bondi on Truth Social as a “Great American Patriot and a loyal friend” while announcing her departure and transition to the private sector.
It remains unclear who Trump will nominate as a permanent replacement. Fox News has reported that Zeldin is under consideration, though no formal decision has been announced.
