WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi / NASA's Artemis II Heads to the Moon
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Apr 3, 2026 
Bill McGurn, WSJ opinion columnist on politics and policy, and Kim Strassel, WSJ editorial board member focused on law and regulation. They discuss Trump’s removal of Pam Bondi and who might lead the Justice Department next. They also cover NASA’s Artemis II lunar launch, early mission visuals, private-sector roles, and geopolitical stakes around returning to the moon.
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Trump's Performance Driven Cabinet Turnover
- Trump prefers direct, businesslike hiring and firing, treating cabinet roles as performance-based positions.
- Kim Strassel links Bondi's removal to mounting frustration over Epstein file missteps, confirmation failures, and unmet presidential expectations.
Presidential Pressure Versus DOJ Independence
- Friction arises when presidents want DOJ to pursue political adversaries and the Department resists for legal reasons.
- Kim points to failed prosecutions and subpoenas (Comey, Letitia James) as sources of presidential frustration.
Give Presidents Clear Legal Pushback
- Appointees should provide honest legal and political pushback to their boss to prevent harmful decisions.
- Bill McGurn recommends steady, sober judgment and says accountability falls on those below the president.