NASA's Artemis II Breaks Earth's Orbit, Heads to the Moon

Pam Bondi Exits as Attorney General Amid Epstein Controversy

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:25am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the structural order of the universe without using any text or symbols.As NASA's Artemis II mission breaks free of Earth's orbit and heads to the moon, the complex forces and concepts of space exploration are visualized in a bold, abstract painting.Salt Lake City Today

President Trump announced that Pam Bondi is out as Attorney General, with her exit coming amid frustration over her leadership and handling of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis II mission has left Earth's orbit and is heading toward the moon, marking a critical test flight for the Orion spacecraft.

Why it matters

Bondi's departure from the DOJ comes as the department undergoes a massive exodus of prosecutors and FBI agents, reshaping the institution. The Artemis II mission is a significant milestone, as it's the first time humans have traveled to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

The details

Bondi served as Attorney General for a little over a year, with the president calling her "a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend." However, the White House believes Bondi mishandled law enforcement files related to Epstein, and there were issues with her attempts to aggressively prosecute people the president dislikes. The Artemis II mission has completed its "translunar injection burn," breaking out of Earth's orbit and setting the Orion spacecraft on a journey to the moon. The capsule is scheduled to fly by the moon on Monday.

  • Bondi served as Attorney General for a little over a year.
  • Artemis II completed its "translunar injection burn" to break out of Earth's orbit.
  • The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to fly by the moon on Monday.

The players

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General who recently departed the Department of Justice amid frustration over her leadership and handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Todd Blanche

The Deputy Attorney General who will serve as acting Attorney General following Bondi's exit.

Artemis II

NASA's latest mission to the moon, which has successfully left Earth's orbit and is headed toward the lunar surface.

Jeremy Hansen

One of the astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission.

Reid Wiseman

One of the astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend.”

— President Trump

What’s next

The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to fly by the moon on Monday, marking a critical milestone in the Artemis II mission.

The takeaway

Bondi's exit from the DOJ comes amid a broader shakeup at the department, while the Artemis II mission represents a significant step forward in NASA's efforts to return humans to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era.