Attorney General Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Case Handling
Attorney General Pam Bondi faced tough questions from the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Justice Department’s (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. The hearing, which stretched for five hours, centered on the release of over three million documents related to the case.
While the release aimed to bring transparency, it has sparked concerns regarding data protection and the privacy of individuals mentioned in the files. Some lawmakers expressed fears about the potential misuse of the information.
Adding to the controversy, survivors of Epstein’s abuse voiced strong criticism. They argued that the DOJ failed to adequately protect their sensitive personal information when releasing the documents. Some details that should have remained private were exposed, causing further distress to the victims.
Bondi defended the DOJ’s actions, stating that the department worked diligently to release the documents quickly, while also trying to protect sensitive information. She explained that with the country demanding the files be released, the administration acted as quickly as possible.
Representative Jamie Raskin brought several survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking operation to the committee. Raskin emphasized the need to listen to the victims and hold abusers accountable.
Bondi acknowledged the suffering of the survivors, expressing her sorrow for the abuse they endured. She assured them that the DOJ took their concerns seriously.
Bondi stated that more than 500 attorneys reviewed millions of pages. If a victim’s name was inadvertently released, it was immediately redacted.
A key point of contention was a binder of notes Bondi referenced during the hearing. Representative Jared Moskowitz questioned whether the DOJ was compiling information on lawmakers instead of focusing on the Epstein case. Bondi stood her ground, defending her actions.
During the hearing, images of documents on Bondi’s desk surfaced. One document appeared to list the specific Epstein files that Representative Pramila Jayapal had accessed. Jayapal expressed concern about the DOJ monitoring lawmakers’ access to the files, calling it inappropriate.
Bondi addressed questions about potential future prosecutions. When questioned about why billionaire Les Wexner’s name was initially redacted in FBI documents, Bondi said that it was a simple mistake that was corrected quickly.
Despite the release of millions of documents, Bondi suggested that there is no single “client list” that will lead to a new wave of indictments. This statement frustrated those who hoped the files would reveal the names of Epstein’s associates.
The most emotional moment of the hearing occurred when Jayapal asked the survivors present to raise their hands if they had not yet met with the Justice Department under Bondi’s leadership. Every survivor raised their hand.
Bondi refused to apologize directly to the women for the DOJ’s release of their private information. She called the request “theatrics” and redirected blame.
The hearing also touched on the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison. Bondi stated that she only learned of the move “after the fact.”
