U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unleashed attacks on Democrats during a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, defending the Justice Department’s release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents while dodging questions about redactions and compliance.
The session, which stretched beyond five hours, focused heavily on the department’s adherence to a 2025 law requiring full disclosure of Epstein files with narrow exceptions for redactions. The agency has faced criticism for missing the deadline, exposing survivors’ identities, and obscuring the names of potential wrongdoers without justification, prompting repeated takedowns and revisions of posted materials.
Bondi sidestepped inquiries on the handling, refusing a request from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) to face and apologize to Epstein victims attending the hearing.
“I’m not going to get in the gutter with this woman. She’s doing theatrics,” Bondi said, The Guardian reported. She earlier told the survivors she was “deeply sorry” for their abuse.
Jayapal prompted those in the room to stand and indicate if they had not met with the department about their experiences; she noted every victim raised a hand.
Tensions escalated when Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat, sought to curb Bondi’s lengthy responses during the five-minute questioning slots.
“You don’t tell me anything,” Bondi shouted, per The Guardian. “You’re a washed-up loser lawyer. You’re not even a lawyer.”
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) highlighted what she called overly expansive redactions eroding the department’s trust.
Bondi countered: “I find it interesting that she keeps going after President Trump, the greatest president in American history.”
She added, “If they could maintain their composure, this isn’t a circus; this is a hearing. I find it interesting she keeps going after Donald Trump; she doesn’t say how much money she took from Reid Hoffman.”
Hoffman, LinkedIn’s co-founder, has acknowledged limited professional meetings with Epstein tied to MIT fundraising.
The documents have disclosed previously unreported connections between Epstein and figures near Trump, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, former adviser Steve Bannon, and Elon Musk, none of whom face charges related to the financier.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) pressed Bondi on whether Trump ever joined a gathering with underage girls.
“This is so ridiculous,” she replied. “And they are trying to deflect from all the great things Donald Trump has done. There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime. Everyone knows that.”
Lieu contended her statement constituted perjury, citing file references like an Epstein note that Trump “knew about” the girls without getting a massage, a tip from former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter to the FBI that Trump acknowledged awareness during the probe, and unverified leads. Trump, uncharged in the matter, rejects any misconduct.
“Don’t you ever accuse me of committing a crime,” Bondi shot back.
Even with fellow Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who backed the disclosure law, Bondi shifted responsibility: “This goes over four administrations. You don’t have to go back to Biden. Let’s go back to Obama. Let’s go back to George Bush. This cover-up spans decades, and you are responsible for this portion.”
Massie challenged redactions that shielded names like billionaire Les Wexner in crime-linked contexts, though they were visible elsewhere.
Bondi said the fix came “within 40 minutes,” but Massie retorted: “Within 40 minutes of me catching you red-handed.” She labeled him a “failed politician” and a “hypocrite.” Wexner denies involvement and says he aided authorities without being targeted.
A momentary break from acrimony came with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who detailed threats to himself and his family.
“I’m just asking for your help to protect life, because life is at risk with the environment we’re in right now,” Swalwell said, per CNN.
Bondi affirmed: “They are being looked into, and I can give you more details on those. 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.”
