In a series of statements over the weekend, President Donald Trump threw his unequivocal support behind Attorney General Pam Bondi as she faces internal criticism from members of the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement regarding her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. The endorsement came in the wake of reports suggesting significant tensions within the ranks of his administration.
The controversy surfaced following an announcement from the Department of Justice, which stated that after an exhaustive review, it found no evidence to support claims that Epstein had a client list, engaged in blackmailing high-profile figures, or that his death was a murder rather than a suicide. This declaration seemingly did little to quell the discord, as The Daily Wire reported that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino threatened to resign should Bondi continue in her role as Attorney General.
Responding to the unrest, President Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday, questioning, "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?'" He went on to praise Bondi's performance, describing her work as "FANTASTIC" and stressing unity within the MAGA team. "We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening," Trump posted. He underscored the perceived perfection of his administration, which he branded as "THE TALK OF THE WORLD," and criticized "selfish people" for attempting to undermine it over the Epstein controversy.
In a subsequent post, Trump doubled down on his support for Bondi, urging, "LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!" He connected her role as Attorney General to broader issues of election integrity, claiming, "The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 — That's what she is looking into as AG, and much more." Trump then made a bold statement about the nation's status, declaring, "One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World."
The President urged his followers to move past the Epstein issue, emphasizing the need to maintain the country's momentum, "Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."
While Bongino has not publicly commented on the DOJ's findings or the internal strife, sources close to The Daily Wire revealed that he had issued an ultimatum, suggesting he would depart from the FBI if Bondi remained in her position. Trump did not mention Bongino by name in his statements but appeared to address the broader situation.
Amidst the swirling rumors of additional resignations, FBI Director Kash Patel publicly dismissed such speculation as "conspiracy theories" in a post on platform X, confirming his intention to stay in his role as long as desired by President Trump.
Pam Bondi, who previously served as Florida's Republican attorney general and was a member of Trump's defense team during his first impeachment trial, was appointed to lead the DOJ after former nominee Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) withdrew his name from consideration. As these internal dynamics continue to unfold, the spotlight shines on the MAGA movement's internal coherence and the administration's handling of contentious legal matters.
