Former US attorney general Pam Bondi on Friday appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door interview over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, admitting there were “redaction errors” while defending the Justice Department’s actions under her leadership.Bondi’s testimony comes amid mounting scrutiny over the Trump administration’s handling of records linked to convicted sex offender Epstein, with Democrats, survivors and even some Republicans accusing officials of withholding key details from the public.The former attorney general appeared before lawmakers in a transcribed interview rather than a sworn, videotaped deposition, a move that drew criticism from Democrats and Epstein survivors, who demanded greater transparency.“No more lies. No more cover-ups. It’s time for Pam Bondi to answer our questions,” top Oversight Democrat Robert Garcia posted on social media ahead of the hearing.
Bondi defends DOJ handling of Epstein files
According to The Guardian, Bondi’s prepared opening statement defended the Justice Department’s record, saying, “We demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to transparency in the department’s search for, collection and review of the Epstein files.”“This was an enormously complicated and labor-intensive process,” Bondi said. “To the best of my knowledge, the department produced everything required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”Bondi acknowledged there had been “redaction errors” in the released documents, but insisted the department had remained committed to accountability.“Since day one of this process, this department has been committed to accountability and transparency,” she said. She also stated that oversight of the review process had been delegated to former deputy attorney general Todd Blanche.“The team of professionals who reviewed all of the materials that we collected assured me the only materials that were withheld were either nonresponsive, privileged or duplicative,” Bondi said.“Our stance has always been that the department stands ready to review any potential evidence of criminal activity related to Epstein and his associates and would pursue appropriate investigative or prosecutorial action wherever the facts and law warrant,” she added.“The bottom line is: justice and transparency in this matter have been delivered at the direction of President Trump and his administration,” Bondi noted, the outlet reported.
Democrats, survivors slam closed-door format
Bondi’s appearance before the committee was downgraded from a sworn deposition to a transcribed interview, meaning the session was not videotaped and was conducted behind closed doors.Garcia criticised the move, saying lawmakers remained “incredibly disappointed” that the testimony would not be publicly released in video form.“We obviously have a lot of questions,” Garcia said. “As it relates to why only 50% of the files have been released, why many of the survivors were literally put in danger by the way files were released, that private information should never have been released, and of course, why this continues to be some type of cover-up.”Several Epstein survivors also gathered outside the hearing room demanding “truth and transparency”.“We hope that there is no deflection,” survivor Danielle Bensky said. “Survivors were outed, there were Jane Doe’s in these files who were mentioned over 500 times, that is so unacceptable, nude photos,” AFP reported quoting Bensky.
Long-running controversy over Epstein files
The controversy has continued to shadow Donald Trump’s second term, with critics accusing the Justice Department of failing to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.The department missed the law’s December 19 deadline to release the files and later published, claiming that it were the complete records on January 31.Committee chairman James Comer defended the interview format and said lawmakers wanted clarity on whether additional documents still existed.“What documents remain? Why haven’t they been turned over? We’re going to try to determine whether or not there can be more documents legally turned over,” Comer said.Bondi became a central figure in the Epstein controversy after previously stating that Epstein’s so-called client list was “on her desk” for review. The Justice Department and FBI later said no such list existed and that no further information would be released.Trump removed Bondi from the Justice Department in April amid criticism over her handling of the Epstein matter, though she was later appointed to a presidential advisory council on science and technology.The testimony also came shortly after reports emerged that Bondi had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer following her departure from the Justice Department last month.Bondi, 60, reportedly underwent treatment and is recovering. The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that produces hormones regulating energy use, body temperature and the functioning of major organs, according to the American Thyroid Association.
