Lee Zeldin: Potential Successor to Attorney General Amid Speculation of Pam Bondi’s Ouster

(SeaPRwire) –   According to reports from the New York Times and CNN, Lee Zeldin, the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is being considered as the next Attorney General. This would occur if President Donald Trump dismisses current Attorney General Pam Bondi, an action he has privately contemplated, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

Trump has reportedly considered firing Bondi since January, following criticism of the Justice Department’s management of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The convicted sex offender and financier’s case has drawn significant attention. Talk of replacing Bondi resurfaced this week. She is scheduled to give a deposition before the House Oversight Committee later this month concerning the Epstein probe and the disclosure of related files.

The President has also privately voiced frustration that Bondi has not pursued his critics with sufficient vigor, sources say. Following Trump’s requests, the Justice Department under Bondi has initiated criminal investigations into several of the President’s political opponents, many of whom are Democrats. Targets of these probes include New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. To date, the DOJ has not obtained indictments in these cases, though several investigations remain open.

Bondi was confirmed as Attorney General by a 54-46 vote last February. She was nominated after Trump’s first choice, former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew amid allegations of sexual misconduct. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi assured lawmakers she would not pursue individuals for political reasons, referencing ongoing criminal cases involving Trump.

In a recent cabinet change last month, Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security Secretary, replacing Kristi Noem, who became the first cabinet official removed during Trump’s second term.

However, sources indicate that Trump may not ultimately dismiss Bondi. The President has publicly backed Bondi on several occasions and stated to the media on Wednesday, in response to speculation about her removal, that “Attorney General Pam Bondi is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job.”

Should Bondi be fired, Trump has not made a final decision to appoint Zeldin as her successor, the Times and CNN reported. Sources informed ABC that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is another potential candidate. CNN states that Zeldin’s name has been the most frequently mentioned in conversations about the position.

TIME has contacted the White House for a statement.

Here is background information on Zeldin.

Trump loyalist

Zeldin has led the EPA since January of last year. In that capacity, the 46-year-old has presided over what he calls “the largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States.” To increase energy production, he has rescinded numerous environmental rules, such as those protecting wetlands and endangered species, and has worked to dilute or eliminate regulations on emissions and pollution. In February, Zeldin moved to repeal the endangerment finding, which is the foundational legal authority for regulating greenhouse gases. Under his leadership, the EPA has also reduced its workforce, significantly cut its budget, and disbanded its scientific research division.

Environmental and public health groups, including figures from the Make America Healthy Again movement, have criticized Zeldin for subverting the EPA’s core mission. His confirmation process also involved questions about his consulting work for a Qatari-linked company associated with the corruption case against former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.

TIME has sought comment from the EPA.

A New York native, Zeldin has a legal background, having become the state’s youngest attorney in 2004 at age 23. He operated a crisis management and public relations firm from 2023 until early 2025.

An Army veteran, Zeldin served for 22 years, with roles in military intelligence and a deployment to Iraq in 2006. His political career includes a term in the New York State Senate from 2011 to 2014 and representing New York’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2015 to 2023. He lost the 2022 New York gubernatorial race to Democrat Kathy Hochul.

Zeldin is known as a devoted Trump supporter, having defended the President during both impeachment trials. He also voted to object to the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.