Pam Bondi Has a Mostly Performative Role As AG With Decisions Made At The White House: Report

Pam Bondi has a largely performative role as Attorney General, defending decisions by the Trump administration in the public arena while implementing decisions made by the White House, according to a new report.

The New York Times interviewed current and former officials who said Bondi's approach marks a significant departure from her predecessors. The outlet illustrates the scope of her role by recalling efforts to appease the MAGA base by giving right-wing influencers binders with documents related to the Jeffery Epstein case in February.

The documents ended up revealing little information. When the influencers expressed disappointment with the information, Bondi shifted the blame and directed Justice Department staff to further investigate. "Phase 2" is unlikely to produce significant revelations, the outlet added.

"It feels like she is just performing a part," said Elizabeth Oyer, the DOJ's top pardon lawyer who was fired after refusing to give gun ownership rights to actor Mel Gibson. "She is like an actor, in a way."

Bondi's influence is limited, the NYT added. Much of the Department's day-to-day operations are overseen by Trump's personal lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who were installed as her top deputies before her appointment. Even though Bondi was reportedly unhappy with this arrangement, she has since adapted. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy has largely contributed to set priorities along with Donald Trump.

Bondi's leadership has focused on aligning the department with the White House, with staff instructed to end diversity initiatives and follow orders. Bondi also approved efforts to pursue prosecutions of gender-affirming medical providers under laws intended for other purposes.

Despite her visible loyalty to Trump, the outlet added, Bondi has not won over all factions of the MAGA world. Far-right figures have criticized her handling of the Epstein files and accused her of focusing more on media exposure than substantive action.

Internally, Bondi has taken steps that some staff viewed as punitive or politically motivated. She ordered demotions and dismissals of senior career officials, including prosecutors in the national security and immigration divisions, actions that further strained morale. One prosecutor resigned, citing conflicts between department actions and the law.