Why Is Trump Turning on His Own Attorney General?
President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Friday, June 27, 2025. Official White House photo by Molly Riley. Public domain.
Donald Trump has publicly turned up the heat on Attorney General Pam Bondi, blasting her for what he calls "all talk, no action" in prosecuting his political rivals, as reported by Mediaite. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump reportedly demanded that Bondi charge figures like former FBI Director James Comey, California Senator Adam Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing them of being "guilty as hell" and warning that further delays are "killing our reputation and credibility." At the same time, Trump pushed out federal prosecutor Erik Siebert, who had been overseeing investigations into some of these figures, and elevated Lindsey Halligan, a loyalist and former personal attorney, to take over as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Trump's Public Roasting of Bondi
In a post that appeared to leak a private message, Trump called out Bondi for dragging her feet on prosecuting his political enemies. He cited more than 30 statements and posts criticizing the lack of action and singled out Comey, Schiff, and James as prime targets. Trump accused Bondi of being too cautious and implied that her office was failing to deliver justice. He wrote that the country "can't delay any longer," and that the ongoing inaction was damaging the administration's credibility, as reported by Mediaite.
The post was followed by another in which Trump framed Bondi as needing a "tough prosecutor" to get things moving, while still praising her as "very careful" and "very smart," as reported by Mediaite. He announced his intention to nominate Lindsey Halligan to replace Siebert as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan, currently a special assistant in the White House counsel's office, has a history of defending Trump in high-profile cases, including the classified documents litigation related to Mar-a-Lago. Trump described Halligan as "fair, smart," and capable of providing "desperately needed, justice for all."
The Fall of Erik Siebert and the Rise of Lindsey Halligan
Erik Siebert's departure from his role as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia came amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which was frustrated by his refusal to bring charges against Letitia James and Comey. According to Reuters, Siebert reportedly told officials that the evidence was insufficient to pursue criminal cases against these political figures. While Trump claimed he fired Siebert, Siebert publicly stated that he resigned voluntarily. This conflicting account highlights the tension surrounding his exit. The office Siebert led had been investigating James for alleged mortgage fraud and Comey in connection with the FBI's 2016 Russia investigation, but no charges were filed.
Halligan's appointment signals a shift toward a more aggressive prosecutorial approach favored by Trump. Halligan has been a trusted legal ally, known for her defense of Trump in civil litigation and her role in reviewing historical exhibits at the Smithsonian, where she controversially criticized the museum's emphasis on slavery. Her promotion is seen as a move to install a loyalist who will align closely with Trump's demands for retribution against his political foes.
Bondi's Changing Role and the Political Stakes
Pam Bondi, once a staunch defender of Trump during his first impeachment trial and a longtime Florida attorney general, now finds herself publicly chastised by the president she supported. Despite her loyalty, Bondi's perceived reluctance to aggressively pursue Trump's political enemies has put her under intense scrutiny. Trump's public roasting of Bondi effectively places her "under boss," signaling that her job depends on delivering results that satisfy the president's demands.
Bondi's position has already been weakened by controversies, including criticism from conservatives over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and her recent comments about prosecuting "hate speech" following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as reported by Mediaite. While Trump continues to praise her intelligence and patriotism, his calls for a "tough prosecutor" in Virginia underscore his impatience with her approach.
Critics Warn of a Justice Department Turned Retribution Machine
Legal experts and critics have expressed concern that Trump's public loyalty tests and demands for prosecutions risk transforming the Department of Justice into a tool for political retribution. The pressure on Bondi and the replacement of Siebert with a loyalist like Halligan raises fears that prosecutorial decisions could be driven more by political allegiance than by evidence or legal standards.
The move to elevate Halligan, who has openly aligned with Trump's interests, suggests a DOJ increasingly responsive to the president's personal grievances. This dynamic has sparked debate about the independence of the justice system and the potential erosion of norms that separate politics from law enforcement.
The Targets: Comey, Schiff, and James
Trump's list of political enemies includes some of the most prominent figures who have clashed with him over the years. James Comey, fired by Trump as FBI director in 2017, led investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election that Trump has repeatedly called a "witch hunt," as reported by Mediaite. Adam Schiff, a vocal critic and California congressman, spearheaded the 2019 impeachment inquiry into Trump. Letitia James, New York's attorney general, secured a $454 million civil judgment against the Trump Organization in a fraud case currently under appeal.
Trump's insistence that these figures are "guilty as hell" and must face criminal charges reflects his ongoing battle with what he calls the "Deep State" and his desire to use the justice system to settle political scores, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Halligan's Appointment Pending Senate Confirmation
Lindsey Halligan's nomination to the U.S. Attorney position in Virginia's Eastern District will require Senate confirmation. Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate, making her confirmation likely but not yet finalized. Meanwhile, Mary "Maggie" Cleary, a U.S. Justice Department lawyer with a conservative background, is serving as acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia pending Halligan's confirmation. Cleary was briefly placed on administrative leave over January 6 allegations but was cleared after an internal investigation.
What Comes Next?
Halligan's confirmation and the DOJ's handling of investigations into Trump's rivals will be closely watched as a test of the department's independence and the administration's approach to justice. Meanwhile, Bondi's future remains uncertain as she navigates the president's public demands and the political fallout from her perceived hesitancy.
For now, Trump's public roasting of Bondi and elevation of Halligan mark a dramatic moment in the ongoing saga of political power and legal battles that continue to define his presidency.
References: Trump Urges Pam Bondi to Charge His Political Enemies | Trump savages Pam Bondi as he leaks brutal text message listing her failings... and tells her: I want Lindsey | Trump picks former attorney to be top prosecutor, as he pressures Bondi to investigate foes
