Post by : Bianca
Haleem
US Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense questioning during a fiery congressional hearing on Wednesday over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The four-hour session with the House Judiciary Committee turned heated at times, with Bondi clashing with lawmakers and at one point calling a Democrat a “washed up loser.”
Epstein Victims React to File Redactions
The hearing came after the Justice Department released millions of previously sealed documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Several victims were present in the room as lawmakers criticized the handling of redactions.
Bondi called Epstein a “monster” and expressed sorrow for the victims’ abuse. However, Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal highlighted cases where nude images of survivors, some protected for decades, were released. Jayapal asked the victims if they had met with the Justice Department, prompting all to stand.
Bondi dismissed Jayapal’s remarks as “theatrics” and said officials worked to protect victims within the legal timeframe. She confirmed any names released “inadvertently” were immediately redacted.
Bipartisan Concern Over Redactions
Republicans also questioned Bondi about the redactions. Lawmakers argued some names were improperly removed from the files, with unredacted versions showing the corrections. Representative Thomas Massie called the mishandling “bigger than Watergate” and asked who would be held accountable.
Bondi defended the department, calling some claims a “political joke.” FBI Director Kash Patel noted there was no evidence Epstein trafficked women to billionaire Les Wexner, who had previously been blacked out in the files.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Focus
California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu raised questions about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, showing a photo from the Epstein files depicting him in a compromising position. Bondi deferred, asking why Lieu had not addressed these questions to former Attorney General Merrick Garland. Lieu said Garland “dropped the ball.”
Democrats Push Minneapolis Investigation
Bondi was also questioned about federal immigration agents’ shootings in Minneapolis. Representative Steve Cohen called the deaths “executions” and urged investigation. Bondi defended the federal response, saying protests and federal action were influenced by elected officials obstructing law enforcement. Republicans, including Committee Chair Jim Jordan, praised Bondi’s enforcement of President Trump’s immigration policies.
The hearing highlighted ongoing bipartisan tensions over the Epstein files, victim protections, and broader federal accountability.
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