Former Director of the Office of Public Affairs at the Department of Justice during the Biden administration, Xochitl Hinojosa, reacted to President Trump’s firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi with a series of observations and a trenchant question about preemptive clemency.
Hinojosa wrote on social media: “A few observations re Bondi’s firing: 1) Bondi executed Trump’s retribution agenda, but the system worked and stopped these vindictive prosecutions. 2) Trump recognizes they might not have the Senate next year and they need to make changes now. More to come. 3) Trump was worried about Bondi’s oversight hearing on Epstein. 4) Bondi will not be excused from oversight next year. She has been at the center of Trump’s weaponization of govt. 5) Will Bondi get a preemptive pardon by Trump? We know Trump is immune, but his cabinet is not.”
A few observations re Bondi’s firing:
1) Bondi executed Trump’s retribution agenda, but the system worked and stopped these vindictive prosecutions.2) Trump recognizes they might not have the Senate next year and they need to make changes now. More to come.
3) Trump was…
— Xochitl Hinojosa (@XochitlHinojosa) April 2, 2026
The pardon question resonates because Bondi was scheduled to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee on April 14, an appearance she had not yet committed to and which some believe Trump is trying to scuttle by firing her.
Democrats and Republicans on the Committee have said Bondi’s firing does not preclude her testimony, with Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) , who subpoenaed Bondi over the Epstein files, writing, “my subpoena still stands.”
Committee member Robert Garcia (D-CA) asserted in the aftermath of Bondi’s dismissal that the former AG was still “legally obligated to appear before our committee under oath.”
Scott MacFarlane, the new Chief Washington Correspondent for the Meidas Touch Network, responded to Hinojosa’s observations: “From former top Justice aide in Biden Admin I keep staring at her fifth bullet point.”
Hinojosa added: “Yes, presidents and AGs clash. That’s what happens when AG’s are independent. That’s NOT what’s happening with Bondi. She investigated Trump’s political opponents with zero evidence. She reversed course on the Epstein files to protect Trump. She’s not independent. She’s a shield. THAT has resulted in the bad headlines and THAT is why Bondi is being pushed out.”
[NOTE: Prior to working at the DOJ, Hinojosa was a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee and led the communications strategy around the 2020 Democratic presidential nominating process, and was a spokesperson for the party during the General Election.]