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As the first year of President Donald Trump's second term draws to a close, the unmistakable sound of discontent echoes from the Oval Office.
Loyalists who once cheered the return of justice warrior Pam Bondi now whisper of betrayal.
The base hungers for retribution against the deep state tormentors who hunted Trump and his supporters for years, yet the scales remain stubbornly unbalanced.
Complacency at the top risks squandering the mandate, sinking poll numbers, and handing Democrats a midterm sweep that would leave America fractured and Trump a lame duck.
President Trump has reportedly complained to aides repeatedly in recent weeks about Attorney General Pam Bondi, describing her as "weak" and "ineffective" at pursuing his agenda.
Administration officials and others familiar with the complaints said the criticisms form part of an intense campaign by Trump to pressure the Justice Department to act more aggressively on his priorities. The Wall Street Journal reported January 12, 2026.
Trump's grievances center on Bondi's failure to quickly and effectively prosecute investigators who pursued him, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).
Criminal cases against both were dismissed in November by a judge who ruled that the Trump aide who secured the indictments had been improperly appointed.
The administration has appealed the dismissals and attempted twice to re-indict James via grand jury, without success.
Trump has also expressed frequent frustration with Bondi's handling of the FBI's files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which officials say created months of political and personal headaches.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair that Bondi "whiffed" on the issue, and Trump reportedly agreed with that assessment to staff.
The Epstein files controversy stems from a slow, heavily redacted release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, with less than full compliance by the December 19, 2025, deadline — prompting bipartisan threats of inherent contempt charges against Bondi and ongoing congressional scrutiny.
Last September, Trump accidentally posted a message intended as private text to Bondi on Truth Social, urging action.
"What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia???” Trump wrote. "They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done. We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility."
This month, Trump has discussed with allies the possibility of appointing special counsels at the Justice Department to bypass what he views as slow progress.
Bondi is now "bleeding support from her and President Trump’s most loyal troops," former Trump advisor and conservative talk show host Steve Bannon told the Wall Street Journal.
"Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” Bannon added.
Publicly, Trump defended Bondi, insisting in a statement to the Journal, “Pam is doing an excellent job."
" She has been my friend for many years," he said. "Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit."
The Justice Department stated that Bondi "is focused on executing President Trump’s directive to Make America Safe Again."
The pattern is painfully familiar: Trump has a history of selecting ineffective or even traitorous Justice Department leader, from Jeff Sessions onward.
Yet the stakes today are higher. With midterms looming, inaction breeds apathy among the faithful and emboldens enemies.
Bondi was installed as a bulldog, not a lapdog. If she cannot deliver swift justice, Trump must replace her — or watch his revolution stall, his popularity plummet, and the deep state laugh last. The clock is ticking, and America cannot afford another year of excuses.
