Pam Bondi erupts in Congress over Epstein files as victims confront DOJ in fiery showdown
Pam Bondi speaks after being sworn in as US Attorney General in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2025. Image Credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
US Attorney General Pam Bondi faced an explosive four-hour hearing before the House Judiciary Committee as lawmakers grilled her over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The session, marked by repeated interruptions, accusations and partisan clashes, saw Bondi defend redactions in millions of pages of documents released earlier this year. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse sat in the room as Democrats and Republicans alike questioned whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) had failed to protect victims’ identities.
At one point, a lawmaker stormed out. At another, Bondi told a Democrat she would not “get in the gutter.” The hearing underscored how the Epstein case continues to reverberate across American politics years after the financier’s death.
Epstein Files Release Sparks Redaction Controversy
The controversy stems from the DOJ’s recent release of additional Epstein-related documents. While mandated by legislation, the rollout has been criticized for allegedly failing to properly redact the names of victims and sensitive material.
Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal said some documents included identifying information and even nude images of survivors whose identities had been protected for decades. Survivors present at the hearing stood when asked if they had been unable to meet with the DOJ.
Bondi acknowledged that some names were “inadvertently” released but said they were “immediately redacted” once identified. She defended the department’s actions, citing the tight timeframe and the scale of the documents, more than three million pages.
“We did the best we could under the time constraints,” Bondi said, adding that officials remain committed to protecting victims.
Bipartisan Pressure Over Transparency
While Democrats led much of the criticism, some Republicans also challenged Bondi.
Representative Thomas Massie pressed her on who authorized certain redactions and whether anyone would be held accountable. Massie described the issue as “bigger than Watergate,” questioning why certain names were blacked out initially.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who also attended the hearing, stated there was “no evidence” to support some claims circulating publicly, including allegations linking billionaire Les Wexner to trafficking activities.
Bondi insisted the administration is conducting “pending investigations” related to individuals named in the files but declined to provide further details.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Political Flashpoints
The hearing also touched on international dimensions of the Epstein saga. California Representative Ted Lieu referenced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has previously denied wrongdoing and settled a civil case in 2022 without admitting liability.
A photo displayed during the hearing, reportedly from the Epstein files, prompted Lieu to question why further action had not been taken. Bondi countered by suggesting those concerns should have been raised with prior administrations.
Andrew has consistently denied allegations connected to Epstein, and appearing in released files does not in itself constitute evidence of criminal conduct.
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Trump, Allegations and DOJ Response
Several Democrats accused the Trump administration of failing to fully investigate individuals connected to Epstein. One lawmaker claimed Donald Trump’s name appears frequently in the files, though Bondi responded firmly that “there is no evidence Donald Trump has committed a crime.”
The DOJ previously dismissed certain allegations included in the documents as “untrue and sensationalist claims,” noting that being mentioned in the files is not proof of wrongdoing.
Bondi repeatedly accused Democrats of “deflecting” from issues such as crime and immigration, while Republicans largely focused on defending the administration’s transparency efforts.
Maxwell and Minneapolis: Wider Issues Raised
The hearing briefly moved beyond Epstein. Bondi agreed with lawmakers that Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a prison sentence, does not deserve special treatment and said she hopes Maxwell “dies in prison.”
Lawmakers also pressed Bondi on unrelated matters, including federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis that resulted in fatalities and sparked protests nationwide.
Committee Chair Jim Jordan praised Bondi’s handling of immigration enforcement, framing it as part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration.
Why This Matters
The Epstein files remain politically explosive, touching powerful figures across business, politics and royalty. For Pam Bondi, the hearing was both a defense of DOJ procedure and a test of political resilience under intense scrutiny.
With investigations ongoing and bipartisan concerns about transparency and victim protection, the fallout from the Epstein case shows no signs of fading from the national spotlight.
FAQ
Who is Pam Bondi?
Pam Bondi is the US Attorney General serving under President Donald Trump in 2026. She previously served as Florida’s Attorney General.
Why was Pam Bondi questioned about the Epstein files?
She testified before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the DOJ’s handling and release of newly disclosed Epstein-related documents.
Did the DOJ release the names of Epstein victims?
Bondi acknowledged that some identifying details were inadvertently released but said they were quickly redacted once discovered.
Are there ongoing investigations related to the Epstein files?
Bondi confirmed there are “pending investigations” but did not provide specific details during the hearing.
Was Donald Trump accused of wrongdoing in the Epstein files?
Trump has denied wrongdoing. The DOJ has stated that claims in the files are not evidence of a crime and dismissed certain allegations as unfounded.
What did Pam Bondi say about Ghislaine Maxwell?
Bondi said Maxwell does not deserve special treatment in prison and expressed hope that she remains incarcerated for life.
Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being prosecuted in the US?
Andrew has denied wrongdoing and previously settled a civil case without admitting liability. There is no public confirmation of a current US prosecution.
Why are lawmakers criticising the DOJ?
Criticism centers on transparency, redactions, and whether the department sufficiently protected victims’ identities.