Ex-US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies in the Epstein file | Government Affairs

Former Attorney General of the United States Pam Bondi He appeared before the elders as lawmakers seek answers about unreleased documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

But on Friday, Bondi defended the Justice Department’s approach, saying it released nearly three million records during his tenure, including photos and videos. He described the initiative as an unprecedented way to increase transparency.

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“This was a very difficult and difficult process,” Bondi told the House Oversight Committee. “As far as I know, the department has done everything necessary under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

Since his second term in office, President Donald Trump has faced pressure to release the profile of Epstein, a criminal who died by suicide in prison in 2019.

But victims’ advocates and a non-partisan political group say key documents linked to the case have not been disclosed or have been illegally altered with black ink.

Some have criticized the Trump administration for failing to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law enacted in November that mandates the release of all Justice Department materials related to the perpetrator within 30 days.

Bondi, however, argued that any withheld documents were properly reviewed as required by law.

“A team of experts who reviewed all the weapons we collected assured me that the only weapons that were hidden were passive, opportunistic or duplicates,” he said.

But he acknowledged mistakes in the release of the Epstein files, including among the changes.

“There were mistakes in the renovations,” Bondi said. “But since the first day of the operation, the department has been committed to being reliable and transparent.”

Critics say the department failed on both counts. They say Justice Department officials have released the names and photos of victims who have not been publicly identified, while they continue to redact what needs to be revealed.

There has also been criticism of the timing of the reveal. Although the law requires all information to be disclosed by December, the Justice Department said the documents were made public on January 31.

‘I want every document’

Before the hearing, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said his goal was to get answers to the unreleased documents.

“I want every document. I don’t want anything back,” Comer told reporters.

“We want to bring the truth to the American people. We want to bring justice to the survivors. Also, this case has not been properly investigated. I think that’s one thing we can all see.”

The Epstein case has dogged the Trump administration since the Republican president was sworn in for a second term in 2025.

Although Trump officials have promised to appear in Epstein’s case, critics say they have failed to follow through on their promises.

New reports from last year also questioned Trump’s relationship with Epstein, a wealthy tycoon who cultivated a circle of political, academic, cultural and business leaders.

Trump and Epstein hung out together in the 1990s and early 2000s. But Mr Trump has repeatedly insisted he cut ties with financier Epstein before he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting child prostitution.

At the time of his death, Epstein was accused of sex trafficking. Experts estimate that hundreds of people were killed.

The Trump administration has denied claims it withheld information to protect the president.

Bondi says he is ‘deeply sorry’ for the survivors’ pain

Friday was not the first time Bondi faced questions on Capitol Hill about his handling of the Epstein scandal.

For example, in March, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi, forcing him to testify as part of its questioning.

He and Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche later appeared at the door, but Democrats came out, arguing that the case was “false” because it was not sworn.

Friday was a written interview rather than a swearing-in, which was videotaped. Comer described the format as important to ensure participation.

Bondi was He was fired on April 2 amid growing criticism of his handling of the Epstein files.

Some Democrats have confirmed that Mr. Bondi was impeached for refusing to cooperate with the House investigation.

Bondi’s appearance on Friday comes just days after she revealed that she is being treated for thyroid cancer and is recovering from surgery.

At the hearing, Bondi sympathized with Epstein’s victims, saying he was “deeply sorry” for what they had to endure “because of that monster”.

He also explained that he is not responsible for fulfilling the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“As the head of a major department with major responsibilities, I did not direct all aspects of the project or review the document,” Bondi said.

Instead, he pointed to his deputy, saying he had “handed over the task to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche”.

After walking out of Friday’s hearing, the committee’s top Democrat, Robert Garcia, criticized the administration for continuing to shield Trump from scrutiny.

Garcia said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who accompanied Bondi to the meeting, repeatedly intervened to block questions about the president’s connection to the case and the release of the files.

“So the DOJ (Department of Justice) is in there right now stalling questions about President Trump, and what happened with the release of these files, and why so many survivors were disturbed, and their information was released to the public,” Garcia told reporters.

The survivors also gathered outside the hearing room and demanded public testimony under oath.

“Right now, the DOJ is doing everything they can to intimidate survivors,” said Dani Bensky, one of Epstein’s survivors.

“I just hope he has a moment where he remembers his humanity and our humanity and finds his compassion and remembers that this is a bigger issue than politics.”

The House Oversight Committee is expected to continue its investigation and further interviews, including with technology entrepreneur Bill Gates, former Goldman Sachs executive Kathryn Ruemmler and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, all of whom had ties to Epstein.