• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s approval plummeted from 49 percent to 29 percent amid Epstein controversy
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem underwater with negative 10 net approval rating
• Prediction markets give both officials 42 percent chance of leaving administration in 2026

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — Two prominent members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet are facing significant favorability challenges as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi register among the lowest approval ratings of Trump appointees. Recent polling shows both officials struggling with public perception amid ongoing controversies that have drawn scrutiny from voters and Washington insiders.

According to a September 2025 YouGov survey, Noem holds a net approval rating of negative 10, placing her among the worst-performing Cabinet members. Bondi fares only slightly better with a net approval of negative 9, both officials trailing behind most other Trump administration appointees.

Bondi’s Epstein Controversy Tanks Approval

Pam Bondi’s favorability collapsed dramatically following public pressure over her handling of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. An Atlas Intel poll conducted July 13-18 found only 29 percent of Americans view the Attorney General favorably, while 61 percent hold an unfavorable opinion.

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The shift represents a stunning reversal from Bondi’s first month in office when she enjoyed 49 percent approval. In five months, her disapproval rating surged 18 percentage points while favorable views plummeted 20 points. A separate poll found 32 percent approved of her job performance while 53 percent disapproved.

Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia Center for Politics said Bondi’s image took a substantial hit from the Epstein controversy. The scandal prompted Trump to direct the Justice Department to unseal grand jury testimony related to Epstein, though critics argued the transcripts alone failed to capture broader evidence.

Noem Faces Lewandowski Scandal, Job Security Questions

Kristi Noem’s favorability troubles stem from persistent rumors about an alleged extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s former campaign manager who now serves as a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security. Multiple media outlets have described the alleged relationship as Washington’s “worst-kept secret.”

Reports indicate Trump is considering replacing Noem due to concerns about Lewandowski’s influence at DHS. Three former DHS officials told The Bulwark that presidential advisers are increasingly frustrated with the situation. Prediction markets place Noem’s chances of leaving the administration in 2026 at 42 percent, with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin reportedly being floated as a potential replacement.

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The controversy extends beyond personal matters to professional conduct. Lewandowski reportedly acts as Noem’s de facto chief of staff despite not holding an official position, approving billions in FEMA grants, demanding polygraph tests after leaks, and ordering personnel actions. CNN reported he accompanied Noem on trips to meet foreign leaders in Israel, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, El Salvador and Mexico, often as the only person by her side.

When confronted about reports that Trump placed her on “very thin ice,” Noem nervously dismissed the concerns during a December event at Tampa International Airport, saying she had no indication of problems and expressing pride in working for the president.

South Dakota Mixed on Former Governor

In Noem’s home state, reactions remain divided. A May 2025 poll found 51 percent of South Dakotans approve of her DHS performance while 44 percent disapprove. Among Republican voters, Noem maintained a 61 percent favorability rating in June, placing her at the top among South Dakota politicians.

Noem’s troubles began before the Lewandowski controversy. Her 2024 book “No Going Back” generated widespread criticism after she revealed shooting her 14-month-old dog Cricket, reportedly costing her consideration as Trump’s vice presidential nominee. The book rollout saw her favorability in South Dakota plummet from 52 percent in 2020 to 39 percent in 2024.

Comparative Context Among Trump Officials

Both Noem and Bondi rank near the bottom of Trump appointees in approval ratings. The September YouGov survey found only Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Linda McMahon and Vice President JD Vance with comparably low ratings among major Cabinet officials.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emerged as the only figure polled whose job handling received more approval than disapproval, registering plus 8 net approval. Trump’s own net approval on handling the presidency stood at negative 14, matching Kennedy’s rating for the lowest among those surveyed.

Other Trump appointees facing negative approval include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at negative 7, Stephen Miller at negative 7, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at negative 6. However, none face the combination of scandal-driven disapproval and job security speculation confronting Noem and Bondi.

Prediction markets indicate both officials face uncertain futures, with Kalshi listing 42 percent odds for each departing the administration in 2026. FBI Director Kash Patel tops the departure predictions at 54 percent, followed by Gabbard at 51 percent.

Can Noem and Bondi recover their standing or will mounting controversies force them from Trump’s Cabinet?

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