Former Attorney General Pam Bondi Reveals Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
Pam Bondi, who served as U.S. Attorney General from January to April 2026 before being fired by President Trump, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and is recovering from surgery, she confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.
Bondi said she received the diagnosis shortly after leaving the Justice Department in early April and had surgery a few weeks ago. "Doing well, though," she told CNN. She kept the diagnosis private while undergoing treatment.
Former White House official Katie Miller broke the silence on social media Tuesday, posting that Bondi "has been quietly kicking cancer's ass the last few weeks."
What Thyroid Cancer Is
Thyroid cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the thyroid gland — a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is one of the more common cancers, particularly among women and older adults, and is among the most treatable forms of the disease when caught early. The five-year survival rate for thyroid cancer is approximately 98 percent in its early stages, according to the American Cancer Society.
Treatment typically involves surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid, sometimes followed by radioactive iodine therapy or hormone suppression treatment. Bondi confirmed she had surgery but has not disclosed additional details about her treatment plan or the stage of her diagnosis.
Why She Was Fired
Bondi was fired by President Trump in early April after a turbulent three months at the Justice Department. She faced criticism from within the administration over her handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein — specifically, her decisions about which documents to release and which to withhold. Several investigations that Trump and his allies had expected the DOJ to pursue against perceived political enemies were not advanced under her leadership, adding to the friction.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche took over the role following her departure. Bondi is scheduled to testify Friday before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into the Epstein files.
What Comes Next
Despite being fired, Bondi is not leaving the administration's orbit. Axios, which first reported the cancer diagnosis, also reported that she has been appointed to the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology — a panel focused on artificial intelligence policy.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed her new role in a statement to CNN. "Pam has been an enormously valuable asset to the president's team, and I'm thrilled for her and for all of us that she's going to remain involved in confronting some of the most important issues the administration faces," Vance said.
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