Pam Bondi clashes with lawmakers over Epstein files at House hearing

Attorney General Pam Bondi confronted intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, as members pressed her on the Justice Department’s handling of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein and broader questions of accountability.

The hearing grew contentious when lawmakers accused Bondi of evading oversight questions and failing to adequately address concerns raised by victims and advocates. Much of the criticism centered on the department’s release of more than 3.5 million Epstein-related records that, according to several Democrats, were not fully redacted and included sensitive personal information and explicit material involving victims.

Bondi declined to issue an apology during the session, defending the Justice Department’s actions and procedures surrounding the disclosure. Her refusal drew visible frustration from some committee members, who argued that the government has a responsibility to protect survivors while ensuring transparency in high-profile criminal investigations.

Rep. Ted Lieu of California delivered one of the most pointed exchanges of the hearing. While questioning Bondi about the contents of the released files and the department’s conclusions, Lieu accused the attorney general of providing misleading testimony under oath—an allegation that significantly escalated tensions in the room.

During his remarks, Lieu referenced past footage showing Jeffrey Epstein alongside Donald Trump at a social event decades ago. Bondi responded that there is no evidence the former president committed a crime connected to Epstein. Trump has never been charged with any Epstein-related offense and has consistently denied wrongdoing tied to the disgraced financier.

Lieu countered by citing a witness account alleging that a woman reported being assaulted by Trump, using the claim to challenge Bondi’s assertion. The attorney general forcefully rejected the accusation, responding that she should never be accused of criminal conduct. The exchange underscored the deeply polarized political environment surrounding the Epstein investigation and its lingering legal and political implications.

Epstein, a financier convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor, died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His death and the network of powerful associates connected to him have remained a source of public scrutiny, congressional inquiry, and legal debate in the years since.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to differ over how aggressively Congress should pursue oversight related to the case and how the Justice Department should balance transparency with privacy protections for victims. Wednesday’s hearing reflected those divisions, with Democrats emphasizing accountability and Republicans largely defending procedural safeguards and cautioning against politicization.

The Judiciary Committee is expected to continue reviewing issues tied to the Epstein investigation and document disclosures in future sessions. Whether the latest confrontation leads to policy changes or additional investigative steps remains uncertain, but the hearing highlighted the enduring political sensitivity surrounding one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent memory.