{"id":2608186,"date":"2026-05-29T10:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T14:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-tells-lawmakers-she-didnt-lead-every-aspect-of-epstein-files-review\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T10:45:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T14:45:41","slug":"bondi-tells-lawmakers-she-didnt-lead-every-aspect-of-epstein-files-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-tells-lawmakers-she-didnt-lead-every-aspect-of-epstein-files-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Bondi tells lawmakers she didn\u2019t lead every aspect of Epstein files review"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbondi-tells-lawmakers-she-didnt-lead-every-aspect-of-epstein-files-review%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608186&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Pam Bondi, former U.S. Attorney General, defended the Trump administration\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s victims and asserting that justice and transparency were delivered under the Trump administration.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\">Pam Bondi<\/a> defended the Trump administration\u2019s handling of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> files on Friday, telling House investigators she did not personally oversee every aspect of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Justice Department\u2019s<\/a> review of millions of records tied to the disgraced financier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bondi arrived at the Rayburn House Office Building shortly before 8 a.m. for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-request-interviews-with-officials-involved-in-hunter-biden-probe\/\" title=\"House Republicans seek interviews with officials involved in Hunter Biden investigation.\">closed-door transcribed interview<\/a> before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-oversight-committee\/\">House Oversight and Government Reform Committee<\/a>, where lawmakers are seeking answers about the administration\u2019s release of Epstein-related records.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4586947\/federal-judge-blocks-doj-anti-weaponization-fund\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Federal judge blocks DOJ\u2019s\u00a0$1.776 billion \u2018anti-weaponization\u2019 fund<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4586493\/chicago-us-attorney-refutes-reports-e-jean-carroll-investigation\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Chicago US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-us-attorney-refutes-reports-of-investigation-into-e-jean-carroll\/\" title=\"Chicago US attorney refutes reports of investigation into E. ...\">attorney refutes reports<\/a> of direct investigation into E. Jean Carroll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4585031\/doj-criminal-investigation-e-jean-carroll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ opens criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, center, arrives for her deposition at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In opening remarks obtained by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, Bondi defended the department\u2019s record while emphasizing the massive scope of the review effort.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am proud of the Department\u2019s record and commitment to transparency under my leadership,\u201d Bondi said. \u201cWe demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to transparency in the Department\u2019s search for, collection, and review of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\">Epstein files<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ghislaine-maxwell\/\">Ghislaine Maxwell<\/a>, as well as the largest public release of related records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most notable disclosure in Bondi\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs the head of a large Department with broad responsibilities, I did not lead every aspect of this effort or conduct that document review myself,\u201d Bondi said. \u201cI delegated oversight over this process to Deputy Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/todd-blanche\/\">Todd Blanche<\/a>,\u201d she added, referring to the now<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-acting attorney general appointed<\/a> after her exit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere were redaction errors,\u201d Bondi said. \u201cBut since day one of this process, this Department has been committed to accountability and transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahead of the likely four hours of interviewing the former attorney general, Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4553311\/robert-garcia-pushes-james-comer-film-release-bondi-testimony-epstein-files\/\">Robert Garcia<\/a> (D-CA), the committee\u2019s ranking Democrat, accused the administration of withholding information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cObviously, we have a lot of questions about why only 50% of the files were released \u2026 and why this continues to be some sort of cover-up,\u201d Garcia told reporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questions also lingered over the interview format. Democrats had pushed for a sworn deposition, while committee Republicans agreed to conduct a transcribed interview instead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ll come and tell you what she said. We\u2019ll release all the transcripts, and if anyone is lying to Congress, that\u2019s a felony,\u201d committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-comer\/\">James Comer<\/a> (R-KY) told reporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4541805\/anna-paulina-luna-ghislaine-maxwell\/\">ANNA PAULINA LUNA SHOOTS DOWN MAXWELL PARDON SPECULATION: \u2018THE VOTES AREN\u2019T THERE\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bondi concluded her statement by expressing sympathy for Epstein\u2019s victims and defending the administration\u2019s overall record.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe bottom line is: justice and transparency in this matter have been delivered at the direction of President Trump and his administration,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pam Bondi told House investigators she didn\u2019t personally oversee the DOJ\u2019s Epstein file review<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2608187,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26149460221700.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[45543,51209,3976,3673,39804],"class_list":["post-2608186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bondi","tag-epstein-files","tag-investigation","tag-lawmakers","tag-legal-process"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26149460221700.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608186"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608190,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608186\/revisions\/2608190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}