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Bondi faces congressional panel over Epstein files release
Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testified behind closed doors Friday before a House committee investigating the Justice Department's handling of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Closed-door session draws bipartisan scrutiny
The hearing, held in Washington D.C., was not open to the public, though transcripts or video may be released later. Bondi was summoned in March by the House Oversight Committee, shortly before President Donald Trump dismissed her as the nation's top law enforcement official.
In her opening remarks, Bondi defended the Justice Department's transparency efforts, calling the release of nearly 3 million pages of Epstein-related material-including videos and images-an "unprecedented commitment." Critics, however, have accused the department of obstructing full disclosure.
Committee probes possible mismanagement
Republican Chairman James Comer, who subpoenaed Bondi, said the panel is examining whether the Justice Department complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law signed by Trump mandating the public release of unclassified records. Comer told reporters that successive administrations had "failed Epstein's victims" and vowed to press Bondi on whether additional documents could be lawfully released.
"I want every document. I don't want anything held back."
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.)
Democrats on the committee, including ranking member Robert Garcia, criticized the decision to hold the hearing privately. Garcia called the move "incredibly disappointing," arguing the public deserved transparency.
Controversies and contradictions
Bondi's tenure was marred by disputes over the Epstein files. In February 2025, she claimed during a Fox News interview to possess a list of Epstein's high-profile clients, only for the Justice Department to later clarify that no such "client list" existed. Bondi later stated she was referring to the broader case file.
Her handling of the Epstein disclosures drew bipartisan criticism, particularly after the department failed to redact victims' names in some releases. Weeks before her summons, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace accused the Justice Department of a "cover-up" and pushed for Bondi's testimony.
Beyond the Epstein controversy, Bondi faced allegations from Democrats that she politicized the Justice Department at Trump's behest, including calls to investigate his political opponents.
Health update and new role
Earlier this week, Bondi, 60, disclosed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and recently underwent surgery. She told CBS News she is receiving treatment but did not elaborate on her prognosis.
Despite her departure from the Justice Department in April, Bondi has remained in the public eye. This week, the White House announced her appointment to the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), marking her first known role since leaving government.
Panel's broader investigation
The Oversight Committee has interviewed several high-profile figures in its Epstein probe, including former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Bill Gates is scheduled to testify in the coming weeks, Comer confirmed.
