Bondi tells lawmakers she didn’t lead every aspect of Epstein files review
Pam Bondi, former U.S. Attorney General, defended the Trump administration’s review and release of records related to Jeffrey Epstein during a closed-door, transcribed interview with House investigators. She said the Justice Department collected and reviewed nearly 3 million pages, including thousands of videos and hundreds of thousands of images, and argued that the work spanned four presidential administrations while crediting the Trump team for major prosecutions and the largest public release of related files.
bondi acknowledged criticism of her role in the process, stating she did not personally supervise every part of the document review and that oversight was delegated to Deputy Attorney General todd Blanche. She said any withheld materials were nonresponsive, privileged, or duplicative, while also admitting there were redaction errors.
Democrats on the committee, including Rep. Robert Garcia, accused the administration of withholding data-citing that only about half of the files were released-and raised concerns about whether the process amounted to a cover-up. The interview format was also debated: Republicans agreed to a transcribed interview rather than a sworn deposition.
Lawmakers are expected to press Bondi further on how the Epstein Files Transparency Act was implemented, internal Justice Department communications, and whether additional investigative steps involving Epstein associates were considered. Bondi closed by expressing sympathy for Epstein’s victims and asserting that justice and transparency were delivered under the Trump administration.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday, telling House investigators she did not personally oversee every aspect of the Justice Department’s review of millions of records tied to the disgraced financier.
Bondi arrived at the Rayburn House Office Building shortly before 8 a.m. for a closed-door transcribed interview before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where lawmakers are seeking answers about the administration’s release of Epstein-related records.
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In opening remarks obtained by the Washington Examiner, Bondi defended the department’s record while emphasizing the massive scope of the review effort.
“I am proud of the Department’s record and commitment to transparency under my leadership,” Bondi said. “We demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to transparency in the Department’s search for, collection, and review of the Epstein files.”
Bondi said the department collected and reviewed nearly 3 million pages of records, including thousands of videos and hundreds of thousands of images. She argued the investigations stretched across four presidential administrations and maintained that the Trump administration was responsible for both the prosecutions of Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the largest public release of related records.
The most notable disclosure in Bondi’s statement was her acknowledgment that she did not personally supervise the review process, after critics slammed her for handing out binders full of outdated information to influencers at the White House last year.
“As the head of a large Department with broad responsibilities, I did not lead every aspect of this effort or conduct that document review myself,” Bondi said. “I delegated oversight over this process to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche,” she added, referring to the now-acting attorney general appointed after her exit.
Bondi said career officials and review teams assured her that any materials withheld from public release were either nonresponsive, privileged, or duplicative. She also acknowledged mistakes during the process.
“There were redaction errors,” Bondi said. “But since day one of this process, this Department has been committed to accountability and transparency.”
Ahead of the likely four hours of interviewing the former attorney general, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the committee’s ranking Democrat, accused the administration of withholding information.
“Obviously, we have a lot of questions about why only 50% of the files were released … and why this continues to be some sort of cover-up,” Garcia told reporters.
Questions also lingered over the interview format. Democrats had pushed for a sworn deposition, while committee Republicans agreed to conduct a transcribed interview instead.
“We’ll come and tell you what she said. We’ll release all the transcripts, and if anyone is lying to Congress, that’s a felony,” committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told reporters.
The interview marks the latest chapter in a yearslong political battle over the Epstein files. Bondi initially raised expectations for sweeping disclosures while serving as attorney general before facing criticism over delays, redactions, and questions about whether all responsive records had been released.
Lawmakers are expected to press Bondi on decisions surrounding the implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, communications within the Justice Department, and whether additional investigative steps involving Epstein associates were considered.
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Bondi concluded her statement by expressing sympathy for Epstein’s victims and defending the administration’s overall record.
“The bottom line is: justice and transparency in this matter have been delivered at the direction of President Trump and his administration,” she said.
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