Attorney General Pam Bondi's Epstein Hearing Erupts in Partisan Clashes Over Redactions and Cover-Up Allegations
Attorney General Pam Bondi's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee was intended to stabilize the Justice Department after months of turmoil surrounding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Instead, it devolved into one of the most contentious hearings of her tenure, marked by fierce confrontations and intense scrutiny.
Survivors Present as Bondi Declines Apology for Redaction Failures
For over four hours, Bondi faced relentless questioning from Democrats and sharp criticism from at least one Republican regarding redactions, the exposure of victims' personal details, and allegations of a political cover-up. With Epstein survivors seated directly behind her, the visual impact was stark. Lawmakers accused the department of lacking transparency and failing to show basic care for victims.
In a powerful early moment, Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal asked the survivors to stand and pressed Bondi to apologize not only for their abuse but for the Justice Department's failure to properly redact sensitive information in the released files. Bondi refused to apologize, accusing Jayapal of "theatrics" and stating that officials had done their "very best in the time frame allotted" under the legislation mandating release. She claimed any inadvertently released information was "immediately redacted" once identified. When urged to address the survivors, Bondi refused to turn around, saying she would not "get in the gutter," highlighting the tension over whether the department prioritized speed and politics over victims' dignity.
Republican Massie Accuses DOJ of Improper Redactions, Calls It 'Bigger Than Watergate'
While Democrats led the charge, Republican Representative Thomas Massie delivered one of the most striking exchanges. He accused the department of improperly redacting names of individuals not legally entitled to protection, citing billionaire Les Wexner's name initially blacked out in a section referencing potential criminal conduct. Bondi responded that Wexner's name was restored "within 40 minutes," to which Massie retorted, "Within 40 minutes of me catching you red-handed." He called the issue "bigger than Watergate," arguing it reflected a cover-up across multiple administrations. Bondi dismissed his questioning as a "political joke" and labeled him a "failed politician" with "Trump derangement syndrome," leaving her on the defensive over specific redaction credibility.
Bondi Forcefully Defends President Trump, Diverging from DOJ Tradition
The hearing frequently shifted focus to President Donald Trump, with Bondi openly defending him. She told lawmakers, "You sit here and you attack the president and I'm not going to have it," and declared, "There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime. Everyone knows that." When Democratic Representative Ted Lieu referenced unsubstantiated tips in the files mentioning Trump, Bondi angrily replied, "Don't you ever accuse me of committing a crime." She also praised stock market performance under Trump, citing record highs in the Dow and Nasdaq, though critics noted this was outside the committee's scope. Her alignment marked a departure from traditional Justice Department distance from the White House, positioning herself as Trump's defender rather than an independent official.
Misfires and Walkouts as Aggressive Tactics Backfire
Bondi's confrontational approach sometimes misfired. In one exchange, she criticized Democratic Representative Becca Balint over an antisemitism-related vote, leading Balint—who is the granddaughter of a Holocaust victim—to shout, "Are you serious?" before storming out. Bondi also clashed with top Democrat Jamie Raskin, calling him a "washed-up loser lawyer" during a heated debate over time limits. Democrats accused her of running a "massive Epstein cover-up" and siding with perpetrators over victims, while pointing to the department's rejected attempt to indict Democratic lawmakers as evidence of political weaponization. Bondi insisted the DOJ was focused on reducing violent crime and restoring its "core missions" after years of politicization, but she conceded no ground by the session's end.
Brief Unity Over Threats to Lawmakers Amidst Rancor
Amid the hostility, a rare moment of consensus emerged when Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell raised threats against him and his family, asking Bondi if they were being investigated and appealing for protection in a volatile political climate. Bondi responded, "None of you should be threatened ever. None of your children should be threatened. None of your families should be threatened, and I will work with you," offering a brief pause in the partisan conflict.
