MS NOW Defends Bondi Portrait Report Amid DOJ Criticism

Network stands by exclusive photo showing former AG Pam Bondi's portrait in trash after her ouster.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A realistic oil painting in the style of Edward Hopper, depicting a solitary government office trash can filled with discarded items, including a partially visible portrait frame, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet melancholy and the aftermath of a political transition.The unceremonious disposal of a former political appointee's portrait reflects the deep divisions and tensions within the federal bureaucracy.Washington Today

MS NOW is defending its report and exclusive photo showing a portrait of former Attorney General Pam Bondi that had been thrown in the trash at federal offices, just one day after her firing by President Donald Trump. The Justice Department has pushed back, calling the report 'fake news' and sharing an image of a different Bondi portrait still hanging on the wall.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the deep unpopularity of Bondi within the DOJ, according to current and former officials, and reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and career civil servants at the department.

The details

MS NOW reporter Ken Dilanian exclusively obtained a photo showing Bondi's portrait in a garbage can, reportedly taken from inside DOJ offices. The network published the image on its website, with Dilanian noting that the portrait's removal was 'a reflection of how deeply unpopular Bondi was' at the Justice Department. In response, the DOJ's Rapid Response team dismissed the report as 'fake news' and shared an image of a different Bondi portrait still hanging on the wall, which they called 'real news.' However, the portrait in Dilanian's image appears to be different from the one in the DOJ's rebuttal, as it lacks a mounting board.

  • The photo was taken one day after Bondi's ouster from the DOJ.

The players

MS NOW

A major news network that exclusively obtained and published the photo of Bondi's portrait in the trash.

Ken Dilanian

An MS NOW reporter who wrote the article and tweeted the exclusive photo.

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General who was fired by President Donald Trump.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The federal agency that criticized MS NOW's report as 'fake news' and shared an image of a different Bondi portrait still hanging on the wall.

Harmeet Dhillon

An Assistant Attorney General who called the MS NOW report 'extremely tacky.'

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What they’re saying

“We stand by our reporting.”

— MS NOW spokesperson

“It's a reflection of how deeply unpopular Bondi was.”

— Ken Dilanian, MS NOW reporter

“Fake news.”

— DOJ Rapid Response team

“Extremely tacky.”

— Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and career civil servants at the Department of Justice, as well as the deep unpopularity of certain political appointees like Pam Bondi within the agency.