President Donald Trump posted a now-deleted message on Truth Social yesterday, September 20, 2025, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to swiftly prosecute his political adversaries, declaring, “They’re all guilty as hell.” The post, which appeared to be a private message inadvertently made public, has sparked intense controversy and raised concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department.
The deleted post, shared early Saturday morning, directly called out former FBI Director James Comey, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and New York Attorney General Letitia James, among others. Trump expressed frustration with Bondi, a loyalist and former Florida AG appointed as U.S. Attorney General in January 2025, for not moving quickly enough against his perceived enemies. “I’ve read over 30 statements saying, ‘Same old story, all talk, no action,’” Trump wrote, adding, “They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.” The post was removed within an hour, but screenshots circulated widely on X and other platforms, fueling heated debate.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House later that day, Trump doubled down, saying, “I’m not upset with Pam, but action needs to happen. They were ruthless – they impeached me twice, brought five cases against me. Now it’s time to act fast. They’re guilty.” The remarks align with Trump’s broader agenda to “drain the swamp,” a promise from his 2024 campaign to target political opponents he accuses of unfairly persecuting him during his first term.
This incident comes amid reports that Trump is considering replacing Bondi with Lindsey Halligan, a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, due to dissatisfaction with Bondi’s pace in pursuing his directives. Sources indicate Trump has been pushing Bondi to investigate “hate speech” and “frivolous litigation” by lawyers challenging federal actions, a move critics warn could weaponize the DOJ against dissenters.
The named targets – Comey, linked to the Russia investigation; Schiff, a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment; and James, who pursued a civil fraud case against Trump – represent long-standing grievances. X posts from users reflect polarized reactions: some call it an authoritarian overreach, while others argue Bondi must act to counter alleged corruption.
The White House has not commented on the deleted post, and Bondi’s office declined to respond. Legal experts warn that pressuring the DOJ to target specific individuals could violate norms of judicial independence. As this story unfolds, questions mount about the future of Trump’s justice agenda and its implications for American democracy.