Former Attorney General Pam Bondi avoided answering questions about President Donald Trump during a hearing related to the Jeffrey Epstein files, as revealed by Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia. Speaking on Capitol Hill, Garcia discussed Bondi’s testimony before Congress. He mentioned that Bondi stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche oversaw the investigation into Epstein.
Garcia expressed concerns about mistakes in the investigation, such as redactions and inadequate protection of survivors, attributing them to Blanche. He stated that when he directly asked Bondi about her discussions with Trump regarding Epstein, she declined to provide any information.
According to Garcia, Bondi refused to address queries concerning President Trump during the hearing. This decision was criticized by fellow Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Dave Min and Rep. James Walkinshaw, who questioned Bondi about Trump’s knowledge of Epstein’s crimes before they were made public.
Bondi, while testifying before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledged errors in the redacted Epstein files but emphasized the Department’s commitment to transparency and accountability. She assured that the Department would investigate any potential criminal activity related to Epstein and his associates as necessary.
During her opening statement, Bondi described the release of the files as a complex process and affirmed that the Justice Department had acted lawfully. Outside the Capitol office where the interview took place, survivors of Epstein’s crimes gathered, expressing their concerns about the release of personal details of potential victims in the files. They urged legislators, including Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, to ensure full compliance with the law in releasing the files.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein case and has not faced criminal accusations or investigations. The survivors outside the hearing called for justice and accountability, emphasizing the need to protect victims’ privacy in such sensitive matters.
