Bondi grilled over Epstein files

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp questioning from House Judiciary Committee Democrats in a contentious hearing over the Justice Department’s handling of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers criticized the extent of redactions and withheld material in a recent release of what the department called a final tranche exceeding 3 million pages, citing a federal statute that requires public disclosure of nearly all files. Bondi defended her record, saying she has “spent [her] entire career fighting for victims” and denied any improper influence on prosecutorial decisions.

Democrats pressed Bondi about her tenure as Florida attorney general, asking whether campaign donations or political considerations affected investigations involving Epstein and his associates. Bondi rejected suggestions of wrongdoing, saying her office acted within the law and lacked jurisdiction over aspects handled by federal authorities. Republicans on the panel pushed back on the criticism, calling some lines of questioning politically motivated and arguing the focus should be on oversight reform.

The hearing revived scrutiny of powerful figures linked to Epstein and broader concerns about institutional failures that may have allowed him to retain influential connections after earlier convictions. Lawmakers and victim advocates pointed to the document releases as renewing public interest in who benefited from Epstein’s network and whether accountability was properly pursued. Bondi and supporters emphasized legal constraints faced at the time and warned against judging past decisions solely with hindsight.

Committee members discussed potential legislative responses to improve transparency around campaign contributions and to strengthen coordination between state and federal prosecutors in complex, high‑profile cases. No formal actions against Bondi were announced, but leaders indicated continued inquiries into the Epstein documents and related investigations. The exchange underscored ongoing partisan tensions and the persistent political sensitivity of the Epstein matter, even years after his death in federal custody.