Pam Bondi Epstein Hearing: Key Takeaways
Source: Al Jazeera URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/12/pam-bondi-epstein-hearing-key-takeaways Date: February 12, 2026
Overview
US Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee for five hours on Wednesday regarding the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files. The hearing centered on concerns about document redactions and the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Why Bondi Was Questioned
Bondi defended the DOJ's release of Epstein records, stating there are "pending investigations" in the case. Since Trump's second term began, questions have persisted about withholding or redacting Epstein-related documents. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed in November with bipartisan support, mandates the Justice Department publish all documents in an easily searchable format, though limited redactions are permitted to protect victim identities.
Epstein Victims Present
Multiple Epstein survivors attended the hearing, seated behind Bondi. During opening remarks, Bondi called Epstein a "monster" and issued an apology to victims. Representative Pramila Jayapal asked victims to raise their hands if they hadn't met with Justice Department representatives—all raised their hands.
Danielle Bensky, who met Epstein in 2004 at age 17 and accused him of sexual assault, later told NBC: "There was such a lack of empathy today. There was such a lack of, honestly, humanity today."
Bondi Clashes with Democrats
Congressional Democrats accused Bondi of orchestrating a cover-up and transforming the DOJ into "an instrument of revenge" for Trump.
Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin criticized slow release and heavy redactions: "You're running a massive Epstein cover-up right out of the Department of Justice. You've turned over only 3 million of 6 million documents."
Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett stormed out after a heated exchange, stating: "This is a big cover-up. And this administration is still engaged in it."
When Representative Jayapal pressed Bondi to apologize to victims, Bondi refused to turn and face them, accusing the Democrat of "theatrics."
California Democrat Ted Lieu asked whether Trump attended parties with underage girls. Bondi deemed the question "ridiculous" and insisted there was no evidence Trump committed crimes. Lieu suggested her answer amounted to perjury, noting Trump's name appears repeatedly in the files. Bondi responded sharply: "Don't you ever accuse me of committing a crime."
Trump's name appears multiple times in released files, but primarily showing acquaintance and social relationship rather than involvement in abuse. He was listed as a passenger on Epstein's private jet at least eight times between 1993 and the mid-1990s.
Republicans Question Bondi
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, who led efforts requiring file releases, accused the DOJ of "massive failure" to comply with law. He questioned why billionaire Leslie Wexner's name was redacted in an FBI document listing potential co-conspirators. Bondi stated his name appeared in other released files and was unredacted "within 40 minutes" of Massie identifying it. Massie replied: "Forty minutes of me catching you red-handed."
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna revealed six men's names after reviewing files with Massie: Leslie Wexner, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (DP World CEO), Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, Leonic Leonov, and Nicola Caputo.
DOJ Tracking Lawmakers' Searches
Bondi was photographed holding a piece of paper labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" during the hearing. Members of Congress sharply criticized the Justice Department over allegations that it was tracking what lawmakers were searching for as they viewed unredacted versions of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Trump and Prosecutions
Democrats condemned DOJ prosecutions against Trump's political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Raskin stated: "Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza and you deliver every time."
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, remains the only person imprisoned in connection with Epstein, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls.