Some lawmakers from both parties celebrate Bondi's removal

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers from both parties praised President Donald Trump's decision to remove Attorney General Pam Bondi from the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday.

Trump announced Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche would temporarily assume Bondi's duties until a replacement is named.

Bondi faced scrutiny from lawmakers over the Justice Department's release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She was subpoenaed by the U.S. House Oversight Committee to testify about the department's handling of the files on April 14.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced the motion to subpoena Bondi on March 4. Mace criticized Bondi's job as attorney general and celebrated her removal.

"Bondi handled the Epstein files in a terrible manner and seriously undermined President Trump," Mace wrote on social media. "The American people deserve an Attorney General who is transparent and delivers real accountability."

The Justice Department missed its original Dec. 19 deadline set by Congress to release all documents related to Epstein, as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Eventually, the department released more than 3 million pages of documents on Jan. 30, but lawmakers argued that some were heavily redacted or not redacted at all, in violation of the law.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said they wanted to see a change in leadership at the Justice Department. They both called for the full release of files associated with Epstein from Bondi's successor.

"Whoever replaces Bondi should release all of the Epstein files and prosecute the rich and powerful men who abused young girls," Khanna said in a video posted to social media.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., also acknowledged Bondi's removal. Frost and Mace noted Bondi is still expected to testify on April 14 regarding the department's handling of the Epstein files.

"This investigation is about getting those answers for the survivors who are still waiting," Maxwell wrote. "I will continue to pursue the facts and ensure the process moves forward."

Bondi thanked Trump in a social media post and said she is "thrilled" to enter the private sector, where she will be "fighting for President Trump and this Administration."

"Leading President Trump’s historic and highly successful efforts to make America safer and more secure has been the honor of a lifetime, and easily the most consequential first year of the Department of Justice in American history," Bondi wrote.