Pam Bondi refused to apologize to Jeffrey Epstein victims sitting behind her during a five-hour congressional grilling.
The Attorney General faced explosive questioning February 11, 2026, over the Justice Department’s botched release of Epstein files that exposed victim identities. Democrats accused her of orchestrating a cover-up while Bondi fired back, demanding they apologize to President Trump instead.
Representative Jasmine Crockett walked out mid-hearing, declaring: “This is a significant cover-up. This administration is still involved in it, and in fact, complicit”.
The Key Moments
- Hearing date: February 11, 2026
- Duration: Over 5 hours
- Files removed: Approximately 9,500 documents
- Reason: Failed redactions exposed victim identities
- Epstein victims present: Multiple survivors attended
- Democrats who clashed: Jasmine Crockett, Ted Lieu, Pramila Jayapal, Jamie Raskin
- Main accusation: Cover-up protecting high-profile figures
The Redaction Disaster
The DOJ admitted removing 9,500 files from its public database after failing to properly redact victim-identifying information. Some documents accidentally included victim names despite “evident diligence from the reviewer,” according to a letter Bondi sent to federal judges.
In one case, a document over 80 pages had victim information thoroughly obscured throughout—except for a first name appearing on a single page. Victims and their representatives flagged additional identifiers the DOJ initially missed.
Bondi Refuses to Apologize
Representative Pramila Jayapal asked Bondi to acknowledge the Epstein survivors in the room and apologize for the DOJ’s failures. Bondi refused, accusing the Democrat of “theatrics”.
Instead, Bondi went on offense, demanding Democrats apologize to Trump for his two impeachments. She called Representative Jamie Raskin a “washed-up loser lawyer” during heated exchanges.
Raskin had opened with a blistering attack: “You’re siding with the perpetrators and you’re ignoring the victims. That will be your legacy”.
The Trump Question
California Democrat Ted Lieu asked whether Trump attended parties involving underage girls—a question Bondi dismissed as “ridiculous”. She insisted no evidence implicates Trump in criminal activity.
Lieu suggested her response could constitute lying under oath, noting Trump’s name appears frequently in Epstein files. Bondi fired back, accusing him of making false accusations.
Senator Dick Durbin asked if the Justice Department had flagged anything concerning Trump in Epstein documents to the president. Bondi refused to answer: “I’m not going to discuss anything that I’ve discussed with the president, senator”.
Crockett Walks Out
Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett left the hearing after a heated confrontation. She accused Bondi of valuing “fealty to the president” over the Constitution.
Crockett expressed astonishment that Bondi remains in her position, citing incompetence. Bondi responded by displaying photographs of convicted criminals from Texas, suggesting Crockett should focus on them instead.
Throughout the hearing, Bondi used this tactic repeatedly—employing Republican time slots to counter Democratic allegations with prepared dossiers on committee members.
Bondi’s Defense
In her opening statement, Bondi defended her career: “I have dedicated my career to advocating for victims, and I will persist in doing so”. She called Epstein a “monster” and expressed remorse to victims.
However, she blamed the Biden administration for any missed investigative opportunities. She maintained the department found no evidence of conspiracy or cover-up in the Epstein investigation.
Why This Matters
The Epstein case has evolved from fringe concern to major political flashpoint. The DOJ’s fumbled file release raised questions about whether embarrassment to powerful figures motivated the redactions.
The bill authorizing the release explicitly states: “No record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary”.
Yet 9,500 documents were pulled for additional review. The DOJ must provide written justification within 15 days for any withheld evidence.
Republicans focused their questioning on crime rates and public safety, avoiding Epstein topics. Democrats concentrated exclusively on the file controversy and Bondi’s loyalty to Trump.
The hearing showcased how Bondi has adopted Trump’s combative style—meeting tough questions with aggression rather than detailed answers. She made no acknowledgments of wrongdoing while repeatedly voicing loyalty to a president who directly influences her department’s operations.
Several Epstein survivors attended specifically to hear an apology. They left without one.
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