Video Interim Attorney General Todd Blanche rejects speculation surrounding Pam Bondi's firing: 'Simply not true' Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche discusses DOJ accountability, the Epstein files, stopping fraud and Pam Bondi's service under the Trump administration on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'
U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed Pam Bondi’s firing by President Donald Trump after reports indicated the president had grown dissatisfied with her performance at the Justice Department.
Blanche denied reports that Trump’s decision to remove Bondi stemmed from frustration over her handling of the Epstein files.
"I have never heard President Trump say that the attorney general was — that anything that happened to her — had anything to do with the Epstein files," he told "Jesse Watters Primetime" on Thursday.
Bondi’s ousting marked Trump’s second Cabinet shakeup in just one month after he fired and reassigned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on March 5.
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: BONDI’S BINDER STRATEGY TURNS HOUSE HEARING INTO POLITICAL FIRESTORM
Blanche also dismissed a Daily Mail report that Trump believed Bondi tipped off Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., about the FBI’s plan to release files on Christine Fang, a Chinese spy he was formerly associated with.
"I would not believe that for a second — absolutely, positively not," he told Fox News host Jesse Watters.
The New York Times reported that Trump was unhappy with her handling of the Epstein files.
NOEM THANKS TRUMP FOR NEW SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS SPECIAL ENVOY ROLE AFTER DHS OUSTER
Blanche denied that report, saying that he and Bondi handled the assignment and that the Epstein files should not be a focus for the Justice Department moving forward.
"What happened when the president signed the Transparency Act is the Department of Justice has now released all the files with respect to the Epstein saga… Attorney General Bondi and I appeared in front of Congress voluntarily a couple weeks ago to answer any questions they had," he told Fox News. "We have made every single congressman, senator available to come and see any document redacted, unredacted."
"I think that to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward," he added.
The Justice Department focused on millions of Epstein-related files over the past year. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters; The U.S. Justice Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Trump confirmed Bondi’s ousting in a Truth Social post Thursday, writing that she was a "Great American Patriot" and "loyal friend" and saying that she will transition to a role in the private sector.
Blanche also praised the former attorney general for her service to the DOJ.
"We are a better Justice Department, we are safer as a nation, and we should all be very grateful to the attorney general for her sacrifice for this country and for what she did," he said on "Jesse Watters Primetime."
TOP DOJ OFFICIALS TO BRIEF HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR JEFFREY EPSTEIN PROBE
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting with Secretary of Housing, Eric Scott Turner, left, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, center, at the White House. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump called Blanche a "respected Legal Mind" when announcing on Truth Social that he will intermittently step into Bondi’s role until a permanent replacement is found.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
"I appreciate the frustration, because we do have to make sure that what happened for four years never happens again," he said. "We don't talk about investigations, but I can tell you that the Department of Justice is working hard every day. It was working hard yesterday, and we're going to keep on working hard tomorrow, and I'm honored that President Trump has asked me to step in as acting [attorney general], and also much appreciative for what Pam Bondi did for the past year."
Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin is reportedly being considered to replace Bondi, with a source familiar with the matter telling Fox News Digital previously that discussions about the transition took place during a Tuesday White House meeting.
Nora Moriarty is a Production Assistant at FOX News.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
