News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
FIFA World Cup

Trump ousts Pam Bondi as attorney general; Todd Blanche to become interim AG

Many sources are reporting Long Islander Lee Zeldin is being considered as Bondi's replacement.

News 12 Staff

Apr 2, 2026, 1:29 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

President Donald Trump says Pam Bondi, a loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, is out as his attorney general.

In a Truth post, Trump said “Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in crime across our country, with murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900. We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as acting Attorney General. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The New York Times, and other news outlets, are reporting Long Islander Lee Zeldin is being considered as Bondi's replacement.

According to the Associated Press, "Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as the acting attorney general, though three people familiar with the matter have said he has privately discussed Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a permanent pick."

Trump had in recent days talked to allies about the possibility of firing Bondi, and he talked with her personally on Wednesday about the possibility it would happen, sources said.

AP News Wire contributed to this report.

More Stories

Top Stories

02:00
Bay Update MS 042126_2026-04-21-17-22-58

Stony Brook research finds flesh-eating bacteria in Long Island waters

01:42
F P1 PM 1(158)

Not as cold with scattered showers arriving tonight; briefly warmer weather coming

01:50
LI5PMJULIAEISENHOWER_2026-04-21-17-44-26

Man killed in Huntington Station shooting; suspect still on the loose

00:32
LI5PMBRIDGE_2026-04-21-17-08-55

Repairs to fix hole in Fire Island Inlet Bridge begin Wednesday, lane closures planned

Screenshot 2026-04-21 171725

State annuls Massapequa, Locust Valley districts transgender bathroom policies

01:44
5PMCeciliaEisenhowerUpdateKK_2026-04-21-17-47-05

Police offer reward for more information about fatal Eisenhower Park shooting

01:49
5PMKevinLIRRStrikeKK_2026-04-21-17-56-15

Still no deal in LIRR contract talks as strike deadline nears

00:30
geese hit

$2,000 reward offered as Suffolk SPCA investigates attacks on geese in Hauppauge

00:38
LIREXVICTIMS421_2026-04-21-05-19-19

Rex Heuermann told ex-wife he killed some of the victims in their Massapequa Park home

2025 Mom Rocks Logo Adventureland Sponsor 1920x1080

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

00:38
5PMSexAssaultKK_2026-04-21-17-45-32

Patchogue man sentenced to 27 years to life for knifepoint sexual assaults

02:12
Image (65)

Excitement builds for Ducks home opener with 2020 Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer set to take the mound

01:28
TAXINGLIPAYOFF42126_2026-04-21-06-00-54

Long Island fire districts advocate for proposal to compensate volunteer firefighters

00:21
LIcomet421_2026-04-21-06-05-49

New restaurant ‘The Comet Club’ opens at The Vanderbilt in Westbury

00:22
LIBALDWINFIRE421_2026-04-21-05-34-30

Three people displaced after Baldwin house fire

01:20
LI5PMDANIELLAKULLEN_2026-04-20-17-07-06

King Kullen in Hewlett set to close next month

01:02
MTLIStolenBooks0420_2026-04-20-22-20-49

$3 million in rare books stolen from Whitney estate in 1980's returned to heirs

01:32
GOTTI GRANDSON

John Gotti's grandson sentenced to 15 months in jail for COVID relief fraud

01:56
5PMGasTaxKK_2026-04-20-18-02-55

Nassau lawmakers propose gas tax cap as prices climb

01:46
Screenshot 2026-04-20 184802

Suffolk officials sound the alarm on cannabis use on 4/20

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices