Bondi Clashes With Democrats, Defends DOJ Handling of Epstein Records
WASHINGTON: Attorney General Pam Bondi mounted a forceful defense of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday during a combative hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, attempting to shift attention away from criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Throughout the hearing, Bondi repeatedly challenged Democratic lawmakers, portraying herself as an ally and protector of Trump. She criticized Democrats for what she described as politically motivated attacks and highlighted the administration’s successes, including the performance of the stock market, as evidence of the president’s accomplishments.
“You sit here and you attack the president and I’m not going to have it,” Bondi told lawmakers. “I am not going to put up with it.”
Bondi defended the department’s management of Epstein-related files, a subject that has been a source of controversy since she distributed binders to conservative influencers in February 2025. She accused Democrats of using the files to distract from Trump’s achievements while insisting that victims of Epstein should report abuse to law enforcement. Bondi expressed regret for the suffering of the survivors, saying, “Any accusation of criminal wrongdoing will be taken seriously and investigated.”
The hearing quickly became a partisan confrontation. Bondi refused to answer some Democratic questions directly and responded with attacks, including calling Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland a “washed-up loser lawyer — not even a lawyer.” Democrats criticized Bondi for haphazard redactions in the Epstein files that exposed sensitive details about victims, including nude photographs. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, also condemned the release of personal information, calling it “literally the worst thing you could do to survivors.”
Republicans sought to redirect attention to law enforcement priorities such as violent crime and illegal immigration, while Bondi continued to challenge Democratic critics, labeling them as politically motivated. She highlighted efforts under her tenure to reduce violent crime and restore the Justice Department to what she called its core missions after years of “bloated bureaucracy and political weaponization.”
Bondi’s appearance comes amid concerns that the Justice Department has been politicized under her leadership. She defended the release process of the Epstein files, noting the large volume of documents and the time constraints imposed by legislation. Officials said efforts were made to remove files containing victims’ information once errors were discovered.
The Department of Justice has stated that no “client list” exists in the Epstein files, contradicting prior speculation that the Trump administration was withholding such information. Bondi previously indicated in a Fox News interview that a client list was under review, but later clarified she was referring to the files as a whole.
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