Predictably, as the controversy over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files intensifies, the Trump administration is quickly looking for scapegoats. While much attention has been given to FBI Director Cash Patel, it is former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi who now finds herself in the crosshairs, thanks to a calculated move by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Last week, Donald Trump made headlines by announcing, “I have directed the FBI and the DOJ to release pertinent Epstein documents from grand jury testimony.” However, the scope of this order was extraordinarily limited, raising immediate questions from the press: Why haven’t the files been released in full? Why not push for total transparency?

In a series of press briefings, Karoline Leavitt, speaking on behalf of President Trump, began to lay the groundwork for shifting responsibility away from the White House. Her message was clear: Trump had given the order, and if the public didn’t get the answers it wanted, the blame rested elsewhere. Initially, this “elsewhere” seemed to be the DOJ and the FBI. But as the scrutiny intensified, Leavitt made a subtle but significant pivot—directing attention toward Pam Bondi.

Leavitt stated, “Much of the evidence concerning Epstein was handled at the state level, specifically in Florida under then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. The responsibility for the initial investigation, the prosecution, and the handling of key documents lies with her office.” With these words, Leavitt effectively transferred the burden from federal agencies to Bondi, suggesting that any missing or incomplete files were a result of decisions made during Bondi’s tenure.

This move was both strategic and ruthless. Pam Bondi, once a staunch Trump ally and a familiar figure in Republican politics, suddenly found herself isolated. As Leavitt continued to field tough questions about the release of the Epstein files, she repeatedly referenced the role of state officials, making it clear that Bondi’s office bore significant responsibility for the gaps in the investigation.

Reporters quickly picked up on the shift. When pressed about whether Trump or his administration had directed the FBI to flag any files mentioning the president’s name, Leavitt dodged, saying, “That’s not something the White House was aware of. You’d have to ask the FBI.” But the underlying message was now unmistakable: if there were failures or oversights, they originated in Florida, not Washington.

Behind the scenes, this narrative was reinforced by the White House’s repeated use of phrases like “pertinent grand jury testimony” and “credible evidence.” These carefully chosen words gave federal agencies—and by extension, the administration—ample room to withhold documents, while simultaneously pointing fingers at Bondi for any records that might be missing or incomplete.

The political fallout was swift. Bondi’s allies rushed to her defense, decrying the White House’s attempt to make her the scapegoat for a scandal that has ensnared some of the most powerful figures in America. Meanwhile, critics of the administration seized on the spectacle, arguing that the blame game was yet another example of Trump’s refusal to accept responsibility.

For Bondi, the timing could not have been worse. Her reputation, already under scrutiny due to her handling of the Epstein case, now faced renewed attacks. And as the White House continued to deflect, the public was left with more questions than answers.

All the while, the broader issue remained unresolved: the American people still do not have access to the full Epstein files. The administration’s strategy—first anger, then promises of transparency, and finally, shifting blame—has only deepened the sense of mistrust. In the end, Karoline Leavitt’s press briefings have made one thing clear: when it comes to political fallout, even the most loyal allies can find themselves under the bus.

As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of political alliances—and the lengths to which those in power will go to protect themselves. For Pam Bondi, the lesson is especially bitter: in Washington, loyalty is fleeting, and blame is always just one press conference away.