Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee was marked by tension and defensiveness, raising questions about her approach to handling sensitive issues like the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bondi faced intense questioning from Democrats on issues such as the redaction of survivors’ personal information, the failed indictments of six Democratic lawmakers, and the killing of two protesters by federal officers. Despite apologizing for the abuse suffered by Epstein survivors, Bondi instead launched into a deflection about her predecessor, Merrick Garland.
Throughout the hearing, Bondi was combative, refusing to answer questions and launching personal attacks on Democrats like Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Thomas Massie. She also refused to address concerns from survivors of Epstein’s abuse, despite acknowledging the Justice Department’s redaction failures.
The exchange with Massie over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files was notable for its intensity, with Bondi calling him a “failed politician” and Massie accusing her of lying under oath.
However, a brief moment of comity emerged when Rep. Eric Swalwell discussed the threats he and his family have faced, and Bondi responded with support. The exchange highlighted an issue that affects both sides of the aisle, but was ultimately overshadowed by the rest of the hearing’s contentious nature.
The overall performance raised questions about Bondi’s approach to handling sensitive issues and her willingness to prioritize the administration’s interests over transparency and accountability.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/11/politics/5-takeaways-pam-bondi-house-testimony