President Trump’s former personal attorney Todd Blanche, now acting Attorney General of the United States, wrote a glowing farewell message to exiting AG Pam Bondi, who was dismissed by President Trump this week.
Blanche praised Bondi, writing: “Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship. Thank you to President Trump for the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General. We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe.”
Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who was Trump’s first pick for the AG job, replied to Blanche: “Pam Bondi will be known as one of the great crime fighters of our time. She is a patriot who has all of our appreciation. Todd Blanche left his comfortable job at a major firm to defend President Trump against horrendous lawfare. He has shown moral courage, strength and exquisite legal talent. Todd will do a great job for the Trump/Vance Administration and us all.”
April Fools was yesterday.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 2, 2026
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has been pushing for the complete release of the Epstein files as required by law — the DOJ reportedly has released about half of the reported 6 million files — replied to Gaetz with sarcasm: “April Fools was yesterday.”
[NOTE: After Bondi’s evasive appearance before Congress earlier this year, where she answered legal inquiries by referring to gains in the stock market, Massie was asked if he had confidence in Bondi. The Congressman replied: “I don’t think Pam Bondi has confidence in Pam Bondi. She wasn’t confident enough to engage in anything but name-calling in a hearing. And so no, I don’t have confidence in her.”]
In February 2025, Bondi claimed to have Epstein’s “client list” on her desk, but later said there was no list. When Congress, led by Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), compelled the release of all of the DOJ’s material on Epstein, the DOJ slow-walked the release of the files past the deadline mandated by law.
Bondi was subpoenaed to testify before the House Oversight Committee in mid-April, a requirement her dismissal does not reverse according to multiple committee members. Massie, along with Republican Nancy Mace and several Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, said “Pam Bondi must appear for sworn testimony regardless of her employment status.”
Massie also reminded Blanche of his legal obligations as he assumes Bondi’s post, writing, “you have 30 days to release the rest of the files before becoming criminally liable for failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”
Congratulations AG Blanche. Now you have 30 days to release the rest of the files before becoming criminally liable for failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. https://t.co/LOcytrTXJV
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 3, 2026