U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the justice department's handling of the Epstein files and faced a barrage of angry questions on other issues during a fiery congressional hearing. Her testimony before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee descended at times into a shouting match, with Bondi at one point calling a Democrat a washed up loser and, after another heated exchange, one lawmaker even stormed out.
Here are some of the key exchanges from the four-hour hearing:
1. Epstein victims watch as Bondi defends redactions
The hearing followed the release by the justice department earlier this year of millions more files from its investigations into the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Several of Epstein's victims were at the hearing, and lawmakers as well as Bondi frequently referenced them. In her opening statement, Bondi called Epstein a monster and told the victims she was sorry for the abuse they endured. But lawmakers then directed a host of complaints at Bondi about how the justice department has handled its release of the files. Several criticized what they said was a failure to redact the names of victims as was required by law.
Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal highlighted that some cases involved nude images of survivors, whose identities had been protected for decades. She asked survivors to raise their hands if they had not been able to meet with the justice department, which led all of them to rise. Jayapal then pressed Bondi to apologize to the victims for the justice department's failures, to which Bondi described Jayapal's questioning as theatrics and refused to engage further.
2. Republicans join in over Epstein complaints
The hearing turned tense regarding the names in the Epstein files that had been redacted. A bipartisan group of lawmakers accused the justice department of improperly removing names of unprotected individuals. They have reviewed unredacted versions of the files, prompting the department to unredact names in at least one document.
Representative Thomas Massie sought accountability for the redactions, asserting that the matter was bigger than Watergate and implicating various administrations. Bondi dismissed it as a political joke and stated there was no evidence of wrongdoing. A statement from FBI Director Kash Patel claimed there was no evidence Epstein trafficked women to billionaire Les Wexner, a name at the center of controversy.
3. Lawmaker asks about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Discussion expanded to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during the hearings, raising pressure for him to testify regarding allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who settled a lawsuit against him in 2022. Representative Ted Lieu showcased a controversial photo involving Mountbatten-Windsor from the Epstein files, prompting discussions on its implications. Bondi responded defensively, suggesting questions be addressed to the previous Attorney General, Merrick Garland.
4. Democrats push for Minneapolis investigation
Shifting issues, Bondi was questioned about federal agents’ actions in Minneapolis, where two people were fatally shot during demonstrations. Representative Steve Cohen described the incidents as executions, demanding investigations into the federal responses. Bondi defended the department's actions, claiming they were reacting to obstructive local politics.
The hearing showcased a mixture of bipartisan criticism and heated debate, underscoring the complexities surrounding the Epstein case and broader implications for justice accountability.
