By Trendsetter Tribune 
President Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Attorney General Pam Bondi, privately criticizing her performance as he pushes the Justice Department to act more aggressively on his priorities.
President Donald Trump’s relationship with Attorney General Pam Bondi appears to be entering a volatile new phase, according to multiple administration officials and people familiar with internal discussions. In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly complained to aides that Bondi is weak, ineffective, and moving too slowly to carry out what he views as the Justice Department’s core mission under his administration.
While Trump has publicly praised Bondi, his private frustration reflects a broader struggle over control of the Justice Department, the limits of presidential influence, and the tension between legal process and political loyalty. The episode is already raising alarm among legal experts and signaling potential structural changes inside the department that could reshape its independence.
Trump’s Growing Frustration With Bondi
According to officials familiar with Trump’s comments, the president’s criticisms of Bondi have intensified in recent months. While he has occasionally voiced dissatisfaction with her performance before, aides say his complaints have become more frequent and more pointed, with Trump describing her as an ineffective enforcer of his agenda.
Some officials view the criticism as part of a deliberate pressure campaign aimed at forcing the Justice Department to move more aggressively on Trump’s priorities. In particular, Trump has discussed with allies the possibility of appointing special counsels because he believes the department’s work is progressing too slowly.
At times, Trump has reportedly conveyed his frustrations directly to Bondi, rather than solely through intermediaries.
Prosecutions Trump Wanted — and Didn’t Get
Central to Trump’s anger is what he sees as Bondi’s failure to quickly and effectively prosecute figures he believes wronged him during and after his presidency.
Among his chief grievances is the collapse of criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both prosecutions were dismissed in November after a judge ruled that Lindsey Halligan — a Trump aide installed to oversee the cases — had been improperly appointed.
Trump wanted the cases revived and pursued swiftly. Instead, the Justice Department has struggled to persuade grand juries to re-indict James, and appeals were only filed weeks after the dismissals.
To Trump, allies say, the delays reinforced his belief that the department is unwilling or unable to deliver outcomes he considers essential.
The Epstein Files and Political Fallout
Trump has also expressed repeated frustration with Bondi’s handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to officials familiar with the complaints, the ongoing release of Epstein-related documents has created months of political headaches for the White House and renewed scrutiny of Trump’s past association with Epstein.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair that Bondi had “whiffed” on her handling of the files — a criticism Trump reportedly agreed with. Each new tranche of documents has kept the issue alive, despite Trump’s insistence that he cut ties with Epstein long before Epstein’s first arrest in 2006.
For Trump, aides say, the continued attention has been a source of deep irritation.
A New Investigation Adds Fuel to the Fire
Trump’s pressure campaign intensified further after news broke Sunday night that the Justice Department is pursuing a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Powell disclosed that prosecutors are investigating his testimony last summer regarding a controversial renovation project at the Federal Reserve. Trump has publicly berated Powell for refusing to lower interest rates and has repeatedly suggested Powell should be removed.
Late Friday, the Fed reportedly received grand jury subpoenas, signaling that prosecutors may be considering an indictment. Bondi’s office said she instructed U.S. attorneys to prioritize investigating potential abuses of taxpayer dollars.
While the investigation aligns with Trump’s grievances against Powell, it has also intensified scrutiny of whether the Justice Department is being used to settle political scores.
Public Praise, Private Anger
Despite the internal criticism, Trump has continued to publicly defend Bondi. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, he said she was doing “an excellent job” and praised her as a longtime friend.
The White House followed up with statements from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior officials, all offering strong endorsements. Vance said Bondi had his “full support,” while Wiles described her as “incredibly talented, smart and hardworking.”
Yet officials say the public praise masks a far more strained private relationship, with Bondi increasingly worried about her standing with the president.
MAGA World Turns Restless
Trump’s frustrations mirror growing impatience among parts of his base. Longtime ally Steve Bannon said Bondi is “bleeding support” among Trump’s most loyal supporters, who are desperate for visible action.
“Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” Bannon said, pointing to unresolved grievances over the 2020 election and the Russia investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The criticism marks a shift from Bondi’s earlier standing with MAGA voters, many of whom initially welcomed her appointment due to her long personal and political ties to Trump.
An Unusual Power Shift Inside Justice
Perhaps most striking is a structural change announced last week by Vice President Vance: the creation of a new high-ranking Justice Department role focused on fraud investigations that will be run by the White House and report directly to Trump — not to Bondi.
Bondi publicly thanked Vance for the move, and a Justice Department official said she worked with the White House to design the position. The arrangement was chosen over appointing a special counsel.
The move is highly unusual and has raised concerns among legal scholars about the erosion of traditional lines separating the Justice Department from direct presidential control.
Echoes of Trump’s First Term
Trump’s clash with Bondi echoes the turbulent relationships he had with attorneys general during his first term. He pushed out Jeff Sessions after Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe. William Barr ultimately resigned after publicly stating there was no evidence of widespread fraud that would have overturned Trump’s 2020 election loss.
Legal analysts say the pattern reflects a deeper incompatibility.
“The better an attorney is, the more process-oriented they are going to be,” said Sarah Isgur, a former Justice Department spokeswoman. “And that is in direct opposition to what Trump wants, which is someone who is outcome-oriented.”
Bondi’s Record — and Its Limits
Since taking office in February, Bondi has pursued many of Trump’s priorities. She fired prosecutors involved in investigations of Trump, authorized a reinvestigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and has frequently defended the president in media appearances.
Prosecutors have issued dozens of subpoenas in the Russia reinvestigation, though no charges have been filed to date.
Still, to Trump and his supporters, progress has not come fast enough.
Analysis: Control vs. Credibility
At its core, Trump’s conflict with Bondi highlights a long-running tension between presidential power and institutional restraint. Trump has repeatedly sought an attorney general who will deliver political outcomes, while the Justice Department remains bound by legal standards, procedural limits, and judicial oversight.
Each delay, dismissal, or legal setback deepens Trump’s suspicion that the system is working against him — even when the obstacles stem from rules designed to protect the department’s credibility.
Whether Bondi can survive this pressure campaign may depend less on public loyalty and more on whether Trump believes the Justice Department is finally moving at the pace he demands.
What Happens Next
Bondi remains in office for now, publicly supported by the White House but privately under intense scrutiny. With new investigations unfolding and structural changes underway, the Justice Department is entering a period of profound uncertainty.
For Trump, the question is whether pushing harder will produce results — or repeat the cycle that doomed his previous attorneys general.
For the Justice Department, the stakes are far higher: its independence, legitimacy, and future role in American governance.