Report: Trump's Frustration With AG Pam Bondi Grows, Calls Her 'Weak' for Not Advancing His Priorities

For months, reports have pointed to tension between Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump over several issues.

The rift between the two has reportedly deepened to the point that multiple news outlets and political analysts have said she has been sidelined from decisions that would normally fall under the authority of the attorney general, with the president instead calling the shots at the Justice Department.

In this context, an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that Trump has repeatedly complained to aides in recent weeks about Bondi, going so far as to describe her as "weak" and an "ineffective enforcer" of his agenda, according to administration officials and other people familiar with the matter.

Trump's complaints stem from his desire to use the Department of Justice to advance his priorities, officials told the outlet. Among what Trump views as failures during Bondi's tenure at the DOJ is her inability to secure prosecutions against figures who investigated him for years, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James.

Although cases against both were brought to court, the criminal cases were dismissed in November by a judge who ruled that the Trump aide who secured the indictments had been improperly appointed to her position.

A more recent case involving Trump's agenda is against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whom the Justice Department disclosed last week was under investigation.

Sources who spoke to The Wall Street Journal also said Trump has floated the idea this month with close allies of appointing special counsels at the Justice Department, driven by his frustration with Bondi, the DOJ and what he views as the slow pace of its work, according to people familiar with the matter.

Those sources added that Trump has complained directly to Bondi about his dissatisfaction with the department, while Bondi has grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks about his complaints.

A spokesperson for Bondi said she has remained focused on carrying out Trump's directive "to make America safe again."

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 9, Trump said: "Pam is doing an excellent job. She has been my friend for many years. Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit."

Trump's criticism of Bondi mirrors frustrations that have been growing within his political base. Once viewed as one of Trump's fiercest allies and a leading figure within the MAGA movement, Bondi has increasingly lost the trust of Trump supporters and other important figures within the president's camp, according to longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon.

"Folks are desperate for action and just haven't seen it," Bannon said, pointing to issues Trump's supporters want her to pursue more aggressively, including the 2020 election and the Justice Department's investigation into alleged ties between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia.