President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, the second cabinet member to lose her position in less than a month.

The decision followed a direct confrontation at the White House in which Bondi asked Trump to keep her in the job.

A senior administration source told the Daily Mail that Trump informed Bondi of her firing shortly before his prime-time address to the nation on the Iran war. Bondi pleaded with the president to give her more time, but Trump refused.

“She was unhappy and tried to change his mind,” the source said.

The announcement came after overnight media speculation. Trump had planned to release the news on Friday but moved it forward.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general until a permanent replacement is named.

Accusation Centers on Swalwell Documents

Trump’s decision followed months of tension, including Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Also Read: Pam Bondi Sends a Message to Trump After Abrupt Firing

The final issue was Trump’s belief that Bondi tipped off Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell about FBI plans to release documents on Swalwell’s past relationship with Christine Fang, a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence.

The FBI had prepared a set of documents on that relationship. According to the senior administration source, Bondi intervened in the matter.

“She’s intervening in those matters. The White House wasn’t pleased she was intervening due to her personal friendship with Swalwell,” the source said.

It remains unclear why Bondi intervened. Bondi and Swalwell have maintained a friendly relationship. Swalwell has publicly criticized Bondi since she became attorney general, citing her failure to pursue death threats against him and his family.

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Bondi had appeared with Trump on Wednesday at the Supreme Court for arguments in a birthright citizenship case and attended his speech on Iran. Rumors of her replacement spread quickly as the cabinet focused on the war.

Why this matters

Bondi’s exit marks another change in Trump’s cabinet during a period of international tension over the Iran conflict.

The firing highlights internal disputes over how the Justice Department handles sensitive investigative files and personal relationships that cross party lines.

The move also raises questions about stability in the top law enforcement position at a time when the administration faces ongoing scrutiny over past cases, including the Epstein files, and must manage public expectations for accountability.