SUMMARY
- Democrats accused Bondi of obstructing justice and failing to investigate credible claims against Trump.
- Bondi defended the DOJ’s actions and apologized to survivors for Epstein’s abuse.
- Republicans largely offered soft questions, highlighting partisan divides in congressional oversight.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp Democratic accusations of lying under oath about former President Donald Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein during a five hour House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Intensifying scrutiny of the Justice Department’s handling of the long running Epstein investigation.
The hearing, marked by repeated clashes between Bondi and Democratic lawmakers, highlighted ongoing concerns about political influence in high profile federal investigations.
House members pressed the former Florida attorney general on her role in reviewing Epstein related cases and the Justice Department’s failure to pursue other individuals potentially implicated.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Investigations into Epstein’s network have implicated numerous wealthy and politically connected individuals, including Trump.
The Justice Department released final Epstein files last year, but critics argue they provide limited transparency.
Bondi, a former Trump ally, had previously recused herself from related investigations but testified on the department’s broader handling of the files.
“This hearing underscores a tension between political loyalty and legal accountability in federal investigations,” said Susan Hennessey, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former DOJ National Security lawyer.
“Accusations of lying under oath against a high ranking official can erode public trust in justice institutions.” Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weiss, now a legal analyst at NBC News, added.
“Bondi’s confrontation with members of Congress reflects the persistent challenge of balancing legal defense and transparency, particularly when high profile figures are involved.”
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) directly challenged Bondi on allegations that Trump attended Epstein parties with underage girls.
Bondi replied, “There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime,” prompting Lieu to accuse her of lying under oath. Bondi responded, “Don’t you ever accuse me” of lying.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) asked survivors present to raise their hands if they had been unable to meet with the DOJ.
Every survivor in the room did so, highlighting ongoing dissatisfaction with the department’s outreach.
Bondi later expressed remorse for the abuse survivors endured, calling Epstein a “monster.” The hearing leaves unresolved questions about DOJ transparency and the treatment of survivors.
Congress may consider follow up subpoenas or oversight measures to ensure compliance with federal investigations into high-profile sexual abuse cases.
Legal experts expect continued scrutiny of the department’s handling of politically sensitive files.
The Pam Bondi Epstein hearing exposed sharp partisan divisions and renewed scrutiny over how the Justice Department balances political pressures with legal responsibilities.
Lawmakers and advocates say the session reinforces the need for accountability and survivor centered approaches in federal investigations.
NOTE! This article was generated with the support of AI and compiled by professionals from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage. For more information, please see our T&C.
