Pam Bondi turned a congressional hearing into a political brawl February 11, 2026.
The Attorney General faced five hours of grilling over 9,500 Epstein documents the Justice Department pulled from public access after exposing victim identities. Instead of apologizing, Bondi called Jamie Raskin a “washed-up loser lawyer” and demanded Democrats apologize to President Trump.
Epstein survivors sat behind her throughout, never receiving acknowledgment.
What Happened
- Hearing date: February 11, 2026
- Length: Over 5 hours
- Files removed: Approximately 9,500 documents
- Reason: Failed victim identity redactions
- Survivors present: Multiple Epstein victims attended
- Democrat walkout: Jasmine Crockett left mid-hearing
- Bondi’s main attack: Demanded Democrats apologize to Trump
- Resubmission deadline: 15 days for justifications
The Question She Wouldn’t Answer
Senator Dick Durbin asked if the Justice Department briefed Trump on anything concerning in Epstein documents. Bondi shut it down immediately: “I’m not going to discuss anything that I’ve discussed with the president, senator”.
That refusal to answer became the hearing’s defining moment. Democrats suggested Trump’s frequent appearances in Epstein files warranted transparency.
California Democrat Ted Lieu asked directly whether Trump attended parties involving underage girls. Bondi called the question “ridiculous” and insisted no evidence implicates Trump.
Lieu suggested her response could constitute lying under oath. Bondi accused him of making false accusations.
The Redaction Catastrophe
The DOJ admitted removing 9,500 files after failing to properly redact victim-identifying information. Bondi sent letters to federal judges explaining that despite “evident diligence from the reviewer,” victim information slipped through.
One document over 80 pages had thorough redactions throughout—except a victim’s first name appeared on a single page. Victims and their representatives flagged additional identifiers the DOJ initially missed.
The law authorizing the release explicitly prohibits withholding records “based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity” to any government official or public figure. Yet nearly 10,000 documents vanished.
No Apology for Victims
Representative Pramila Jayapal asked Bondi to acknowledge the Epstein survivors in the room and apologize for the DOJ’s failures. Bondi refused, calling it “theatrics”.
Instead, she went on offense—demanding Democrats apologize to Trump for his two impeachments. She turned every question into an attack on her questioners.
Jamie Raskin opened with a blistering statement: “You’re siding with the perpetrators and you’re ignoring the victims. That will be your legacy”. Bondi responded by calling him a “washed-up loser lawyer”.
Crockett’s Dramatic Exit
Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett walked out after accusing Bondi of valuing “fealty to the president” over the Constitution. “This is a significant cover-up. This administration is still involved in it, and in fact, complicit,” she declared before leaving.
Bondi responded by displaying photographs of convicted criminals from Texas, suggesting Crockett should focus on them. Throughout the hearing, she used Republican time slots to counter Democratic allegations with prepared attacks on committee members.
Why This Matters
The Epstein case has evolved from fringe concern to major political issue. The DOJ’s fumbled file release raised questions about whether protecting powerful figures motivated the redactions.
Bondi offered no transparency about what those 9,500 documents contained or which names they might protect. Her refusal to apologize while attacking critics signals how the Justice Department now operates under Trump’s second term.
Several Epstein survivors attended specifically to hear an apology for the DOJ’s carelessness with their identities. They sat through five hours of political warfare and left without acknowledgment.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
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