Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared Friday in a closed-door hearing before the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers intensified scrutiny over the handling and release of investigative files tied to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The testimony comes amid growing criticism surrounding Bondi’s management of sensitive documents connected to the Epstein investigation, particularly concerns regarding the publication, redaction, and withholding of portions of the case files.
In her statement before the committee, Bondi acknowledged that errors had occurred in the redaction of certain information contained in the released documents. However, she defended the Justice Department’s overall efforts under her leadership, saying she remained “proud” of the extensive review process involving nearly three million documents.
Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized Bondi during the proceedings, accusing her of refusing to answer questions related to President Donald Trump and any potential connections to the broader Epstein investigation.
Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said the inquiry is primarily focused on identifying the nature of the remaining unreleased documents and determining why they have not yet been fully disclosed to Congress and the public.
Comer stressed that the committee seeks the lawful release of all relevant materials while balancing legal protections surrounding ongoing investigations and survivor privacy rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice has previously released roughly half of the Epstein-related files, while withholding the remaining documents citing the need to protect survivors, sensitive personal information, and active investigative matters.
The renewed congressional focus on the Epstein files reflects continued public and political pressure for greater transparency surrounding one of the most controversial criminal investigations in recent American history.
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