Former Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee to discuss the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. Bondi, however, declined to answer questions regarding President Donald Trump’s involvement, citing her voluntary appearance as the reason for her refusal. This decision was made in consultation with a Department of Justice lawyer.
House Oversight Committee Inquiry
The committee is investigating the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, including the prison sentence of Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Bondi, in her opening statement, emphasized that the release of the files was conducted under the direction of President Trump and his administration, aiming for justice and transparency.
Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration over Bondi’s refusal to discuss Trump’s knowledge of Epstein’s crimes before they became public. Rep. James Walkinshaw of Virginia noted Bondi’s uncertainty about the extent of Trump’s knowledge.
Justice Department’s Role
Harmeet Dhillon, a top DOJ official, was present with Bondi during the interview, which drew criticism from Democrats who saw it as a conflict of interest. Dhillon stated that the interview adhered to pre-established ground rules regarding temporal and subject matter limitations.
Bondi explained that the release process was overseen by then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and acknowledged redaction errors. She assured that the Department of Justice made a diligent effort to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, ensuring all responsive documents were disclosed.
Survivors and Public Reaction
Outside the Capitol, survivors of Epstein’s abuse gathered, urging lawmakers to hold Bondi accountable for the mishandling of the files, which included personal information of potential victims. Committee Chair Rep. James Comer of Kentucky assured them of his commitment to justice for the survivors.
Bondi, who recently revealed her thyroid cancer diagnosis, remains involved in Republican circles, having been appointed to a White House panel on artificial intelligence by Trump. Her involvement in the Epstein case has been controversial, with Congress mandating the release of the files after her initial reversal on the matter.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
