U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered a blistering assessment of the federal government’s rampant fraud, waste, and abuse during a recent interview, vowing to overhaul the Department of Justice (DOJ) and crack down on sanctuary cities that defy federal immigration laws.
Bondi, who took the reins of the DOJ under President Donald Trump’s administration, revealed that the scale of corruption and mismanagement within the government is far worse than she had anticipated—but assured Americans that the administration is committed to fixing it.
“I always thought the worst part was within the FBI, but it’s throughout the Justice Department, throughout the administration,” Bondi said Friday. “Look at what Elon Musk has been uncovering with all the different departments—USAID, Treasury, everything. The fraud, the waste, the abuse—it’s everywhere.”
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Bondi highlighted her collaboration with other cabinet members, including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, to address systemic issues across federal agencies.
She also announced significant personnel changes within the DOJ, including the removal of the Jack Smith team, which she described as the “ultimate weaponization of the government,” and the firing of the general counsel at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Bondi emphasized that these moves are part of a broader effort to restore integrity and efficiency to the DOJ, with a focus on hiring “really great people” to replace those who have failed the American public.
Bondi didn’t mince words when addressing sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago, which have openly defied federal immigration laws by shielding illegal immigrants, including criminals, from deportation. She responded forcefully to criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who accused the Trump administration of overreach and vowed to resist federal efforts.
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“Bring it on,” Bondi fired back. “They’re protecting illegal aliens over American citizens. That’s not going to happen under Donald Trump’s administration. We will find illegal aliens, and we will deport them—in Illinois, in New York, and in every other state. You better comply with federal law, or you’re going to be next.”
Bondi pointed to the tragic murders of American citizens, such as Laken Riley, as evidence of the deadly consequences of sanctuary policies. “Talk to the families of Laken Riley and all these other young women and men who have been murdered by illegal aliens, and then see what you think about protecting them,” she said.
Bondi stressed that her top priorities include combating violent crime, addressing the fentanyl epidemic, and dismantling cartels. She praised the collaborative efforts of Trump’s cabinet, including Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem, DEA Administrator Mike Waltz, and others, calling them a “great team” committed to protecting Americans.
“We’re taking the Department of Justice back to its core function—fighting violent crime and saving children’s lives,” Bondi said. “How is that partisan? It’s almost comical that these people think this is partisan. We’re going to protect America at the direction of Donald Trump.”
Bondi also addressed one of the most highly anticipated issues under her tenure: the potential release of Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. She confirmed that the DOJ is reviewing the list, along with classified files related to JFK and MLK, as part of President Trump’s directive to increase transparency across federal agencies.
“That’s all in the process of being reviewed,” Bondi said.
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