A photo circulating on social media that shows former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s official portrait lying upside down in a wire trash can inside the Justice Department has ignited controversy in the United States.
The image appeared on Friday, April 3, just a day after President Donald Trump removed Bondi from office, fueling speculation about the circumstances of her departure.
However, the Justice Department quickly responded, dismissing the report as misleading. “Fake News vs. Real News,” the DOJ’s Rapid Response account posted, pushing back against claims that Bondi’s portrait had been deliberately discarded.
The widely shared photo on social media, which has since been flagged, shows Bondi’s official portrait lying upside down in a wire trash can inside the DOJ office.
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Bondi’s portrait had previously hung prominently alongside images of Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Its apparent removal coincided with Trump’s announcement that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, would serve as acting attorney general.
Bondi departs
President Trump fired Bondi on Thursday after months of strained relations. In a post on Truth Social, he praised her service but confirmed that she would transition to a private-sector role.
“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” Trump wrote. “She did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country.”
Bondi herself described her tenure as “the honor of a lifetime.” In a statement on X, she pledged to continue supporting Trump and said she would work closely with Blanche to ensure a smooth transition.
“Over the next month, I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche.”
Bondi’s allies have spoken warmly of her leadership, with the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, recalling being recruited by Bondi, Trump, and Elon Musk in late 2024.
“She is the epitome of grace, class, patriotism, and integrity,” Dhillon wrote. “She has been a dear friend and worthy of respect and loyalty. She served our country faithfully and well. I will miss her at the DOJ.”
Also Read: Pam Bondi Sends a Message to Trump After Abrupt Firing
The DOJ itself highlighted Bondi’s record, noting that under her leadership and Blanche’s, the department charged more than 125,000 people with crimes, dismantled major drug cartels, and secured the custody of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Transition to Blanche
Yet Bondi’s tenure was not without controversy. She faced criticism for her handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in custody in 2019.
Her inability to prosecute several of Trump’s political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, reportedly strained her relationship with the president.
Blanche, who now serves as acting attorney general, inherits a department that has seen sweeping changes under Trump’s second administration.
Bondi emphasized her commitment to supporting the transition, calling Blanche “amazing” and pledging to continue fighting for Trump’s agenda in her new role.
