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Facing mounting criticism from corners of his own base, President Donald Trump issued a full-throated defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi over the weekend, amid backlash surrounding a controversial memo on Jeffrey Epstein that dismissed claims of foul play and concluded no further charges were warranted.
In a Truth Social post Saturday, Trump declared Bondi is doing a “FANTASTIC JOB” and scolded conservative critics:
“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening.”
Trump called his administration “PERFECT” and accused “selfish people” of trying to damage it over Epstein, whom he dismissively referred to as “a guy who never dies.”
Behind-the-Scenes Damage Control
Sources close to the president confirmed that Trump has been personally calling key conservative figures, including Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk, urging them to tamp down criticism. Kirk’s weekend event in Florida became a flashpoint for anti-Bondi sentiment, with right-wing voices like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon using the stage to demand accountability.
Bondi later appeared with Trump at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, with cameras capturing the president giving her a thumbs-up, a public show of support aimed at silencing speculation about her standing.
Privately, aides say the president’s team has also reached out to key influencers in MAGA media and online communities, asking them to pull back or redirect focus. A source close to the White House said, “Trump isn’t budging — for now — but that could change.”
Dan Bongino, Kash Patel Caught in Crossfire
The controversy has also rippled through the federal law enforcement ranks. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is said to be considering resignation, according to CNN, after a heated dispute with Bondi and top DOJ officials over the Epstein memo’s conclusions. Trump said he spoke to Bongino Sunday and believed he was “in good shape.”
“Dan Bongino is a very good guy. I’ve known him a long time… and he sounded terrific,” Trump told reporters.
FBI Director Kash Patel, long seen as a loyalist, has also been frustrated by Bondi’s handling of the memo, although publicly he has not contradicted the DOJ’s findings.
The Memo That Ignited the Firestorm
Released last week by the Department of Justice, the memo concluded that Jeffrey Epstein did not have a “client list”, and that there was no credible evidence of murder or blackmail, sparking anger among Trump supporters who have long believed Epstein’s death was part of a deeper conspiracy.
Right-wing pundits like Tucker Carlson accused Bondi of a cover-up, while Steve Bannon called the timing and tone of the release a “political nightmare.” A Trump adviser told CNN the memo “should’ve been buried before a holiday weekend — or released after the midterms.”
The backlash was especially jarring because many believed Trump would declassify or expose new Epstein-related evidence during his second term. Instead, the DOJ under Bondi declared the case closed.
Trump Shifts Focus: “Let Pam Do Her Job”
As criticism mounted, Trump has tried to reframe the issue. On Truth Social, he minimized Epstein’s relevance and redirected MAGA outrage toward issues like voter fraud and Democratic corruption:
“Why didn’t these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn’t they use it?”
He dismissed the Epstein case as a distraction and insisted:
“LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!”
Political Risk Ahead
While Bondi retains Trump’s support for now, insiders say her position is not guaranteed. “If this festers or if more details leak, Trump might reassess,” one source familiar with internal discussions told NBC.
Trump’s continued defense of Bondi could test the unity of his base, particularly among conspiracy-driven factions who remain fixated on Epstein’s death and the idea of a still-hidden “client list.”
But for now, Trump appears more concerned about preserving loyalty inside his administration and reasserting control over the narrative that’s spiraling outside of his command.
“This is about keeping the team tight,” said one former adviser. “And in Trump’s mind, Pam is still part of that team.”
