NPR News: 04-02-2026 3PM EDT

President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, praising her in a social media post as a great patriot who oversaw a sweeping crackdown on crime and handled the Epstein files. This abrupt change at the Justice Department highlights internal shifts in the administration amid ongoing legal and enforcement priorities.

Justice Department Leadership Change

Trump announced Bondi's dismissal, crediting her with leading what he called an incredible nationwide crime crackdown, including management of the Epstein files. No specific reason for the firing was given beyond the praise, leaving questions about future direction at the Justice Department, which oversees federal law enforcement.

DHS Funding Deadlock and FEMA Cuts

Congress remains stalled on Department of Homeland Security funding. The Senate passed a compromise last week covering most areas but excluding key immigration enforcement programs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "We're not going to fund a lawless ICE and a lawless CBP, and the American people are overwhelmingly on our side on that." Separately, President Trump plans to sign an executive order today to pay federal workers, amid uncertainty over how FEMA lost hundreds of staff. New data from the Office of Personnel Management show 356 FEMA workers cut in February, totaling over 2,500 since September. Administration officials advocate drastic red