US Ex-Attorney General Pam Bondi Testifies on Epstein Files
Elizabeth Melimopoulos
Pam Bondi, fired in April, defended the release of Epstein files in a closed congressional hearing, acknowledging errors in the process while asserting transparency efforts. Critics and victims say the administration has not fully delivered on its promises.
Former US Attorney General Pam Bondi testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on May 29, as lawmakers pressed for clarification on unreleased documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
During the hearing, Bondi defended the Justice Department’s approach, stating the agency released nearly three million pages of records under her tenure, including photographs and videos. She described this as an unprecedented effort to enhance transparency.
“This is a complex and labor-intensive process,” Bondi told the House Oversight Committee. “To my knowledge, the department produced everything requested under the Epstein Records Disclosure Act.”
President Donald Trump, since beginning his second term, has faced pressure to release files on Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in custody in 2019. However, victim advocates and a bipartisan group argue that many critical documents remain unreleased or illegally redacted.
Bondi acknowledged mistakes in the disclosure process, including redaction errors. But she insisted that withheld documents were reviewed lawfully. “The expert team that reviewed all the documents assured me that only non-responsive, privileged, or duplicate documents were withheld,” she said.
Critics accused the Justice Department of publishing victims’ names and photos without public confirmation, while continuing to redact information that should have been disclosed. Regarding the deadline, though the law required all documents to be released by December, the Justice Department announced they would only be published on January 31.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer stated before the hearing that the goal was to obtain every document. “I want every single document. I don’t want to hold anything back,” Comer said. “We want to bring the truth to the American people and deliver justice to the victims.”
Bondi, who was fired on April 2 amid criticism over her handling of the Epstein files, expressed sympathy for the victims. “I am deeply sorry for what they suffered from that monster,” she said, explaining that she was not solely responsible for enforcing the act, having delegated oversight to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
After the hearing, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia accused the administration of continuing to shield Trump. Garcia said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who accompanied Bondi, repeatedly intervened to block questions about the president’s ties to the case.
Epstein victims also gathered outside the hearing room, demanding public testimony under oath. “So far, the Justice Department has done everything possible to intimidate victims,” said Dani Bensky, a survivor. “I hope she remembers humanity and finds compassion.”
The House Oversight Committee plans to continue investigations with additional interviews, including with tech billionaire Bill Gates, former Goldman Sachs legal counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, all linked to Epstein.
