By Hank Russell
Following the ouster of Pam Bondi as attorney general, news reports have circulated that former Long Island congressman and current Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin may become her replacement.
According to news reports, President Donald Trump had been unhappy with Bondi’s job performance, saying he was becoming “more and more frustrated” with her and didn’t believe she “executed on his vision” in the way he wanted.
Trump reportedly expressed frustration with the way she has handled matters involving the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and her lack of action in prosecuting his political enemies, including former CIA Director John Brennan, who has been accused of making false statements regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Deputy AG Todd Blanche has been named as acting attorney general, replacing Bondi.
Zeldin, who was confirmed as EPA administrator last year, previously served as a U.S. Representative from 2015 to 2023, as previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics. During that time, he served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. In addition, he co-chaired the House Republican Israel Caucus, which boasts more than 100 members. He also championed infrastructure and research projects back home, including the preservation of Plum Island, Army Corps of Engineers initiatives and a $2 billion Electron-ion collider for Brookhaven National Laboratory.
At the age of 23, Zeldin became the youngest attorney in New York State at the time. He also served four years on active duty in the U.S. Army, where he had roles as a military intelligence officer, prosecutor and military magistrate. In 2006, he deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Before serving in Congress, he was in the New York State Senate from 2010 to 2014. In 2022, he ran for governor against incumbent Kathy Hochul. Despite losing the race, he collected more votes for a Republican candidate since Nelson Rockefeller over 50 years ago.
Bondi may land another role within the administration, according to reports. Some said she may land a judicial appointment. However, Bondi posted on social media, “Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration.”
She also noted some of her accomplishments as AG. “Since February 2025, we have secured the lowest murder rate in 125 years, secured first-ever terrorism convictions against members of Antifa, shattered domestic and transnational gangs across the country, taken custody of more than 90 key cartel figures, and won 24 favorable rulings at the Supreme Court,” she posted. “I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.”
LILP reached out to the White House to see if Zeldin will become the new AG. A spokesperson referred this reporter to a Truth Social post from the president.
“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,” Trump posted. “Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900. We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General.”