Pam Bondi Testifies on DOJ’s Handling of Epstein Files, Avoids Direct Answers on Trump
Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense scrutiny during a closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee, where she refused to confirm whether President Donald Trump influenced the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi’s remarks, released on May 29, 2026, sparked further debate over the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) management of the controversial case.
Bondi Refuses to Confirm Trump’s Role in Epstein File Release
Bondi declined to answer questions about whether Trump directed her or any DOJ officials to act on the files, invoking executive privilege. She also avoided addressing reports that she had informed the president of his name appearing in the documents in May 2026, prior to Congress passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2026.
“I won’t discuss any conversations that I had or did not have with the president of the United States,” Bondi stated, according to the transcript. Her testimony came amid ongoing investigations into the DOJ’s handling of the files, which were eventually released under the 2026 law.
Defense of DOJ’s Record, Blaming Deputy Attorney General
Bondi defended the DOJ’s overall handling of the files, stating she was “proud of the Department’s record and commitment to transparency.” However, she distanced herself from the day-to-day management, attributing oversight to then-de