President Donald Trump publicly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday, responding to backlash from some members of his base regarding her handling of a controversial memo about the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Trump took to Truth Social, declaring that Bondi is performing “a FANTASTIC JOB” in her role and expressing discontent with the criticism directed at her.
In his post, Trump remarked, “What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!” He emphasized that the MAGA movement remains unified, stating, “We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening.” Trump referred to the administration as “PERFECT” and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to undermine it over issues related to Epstein, a figure he described as “somebody that nobody cares about.”
The memo released earlier this week concluded that there is no evidence to support claims that Epstein maintained a “client list” or was murdered, according to reports from CNN. Following the memo’s publication, there was significant backlash from various Trump allies, notably right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who called for Bondi’s removal from her position.
In a separate incident reported by CNN, Dan Bongino, the Deputy FBI Director, indicated he might resign due to tensions between the FBI and the Department of Justice regarding the fallout from the Epstein memo. Trump appeared unfazed by inquiries about the investigation during a press conference at the White House, dismissing questions about Epstein as misplaced. “I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this,” he said.
Trump reiterated his frustrations in his Saturday post, lamenting the ongoing focus on Epstein. He criticized several political opponents, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, suggesting they were responsible for creating what he termed the “Epstein Files.” Trump questioned why these figures did not release any damaging information when they had the opportunity, stating, “If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn’t they use it?”
In a directive to Kash Patel, the FBI Director, Trump urged a shift in focus towards what he considers more pressing issues. He called for investigations into “Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020,” while criticizing the FBI for spending excessive time on Epstein-related documents. His message concluded emphatically: “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!”
As the political landscape evolves, the fallout from the Epstein memo and the reactions from Trump’s base will remain a critical point of discussion. The tensions surrounding this issue highlight the complex dynamics within the current administration and the challenges faced by officials in navigating public scrutiny.