House Judiciary Hearing Erupts Over Epstein Files

A House Judiciary Committee hearing turned chaotic on Wednesday when Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal confronted Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding files related to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Jayapal invited victims of Epstein’s trafficking to stand and pressed Bondi on whether he would apologize for how the files were handled. In response, Bondi accused Jayapal of politicizing the issue and noted her lack of accountability for former Attorney General Merrick Garland, who could have released the documents.

“No, I’m going to get my time back,” Bondi stated, adding, “I had a specific question that I would like answered. Who are the survivors? This isn’t just about anyone who came before you; it’s about you and your responsibility for the Department of Justice and its consequences.” The tension escalated as Jayapal insisted that Bondi turn to the survivors present and apologize for the Department’s actions.

In a counter, Bondi remarked, “Because she doesn’t like the answer. Why didn’t she ask Merrick Garland about this twice?”

Despite the interruptions, Jayapal pressed on, demanding time to speak. Republican Representative Jim Jordan, the chairman, let her continue for the last few seconds of her allotted time.

Bondi dismissed Jayapal’s behavior as “theater,” asserting, “I’m not going to get into a groove with this woman.” Jayapal accused Bondi of orchestrating a “massive cover-up,” emphasizing that the full files had not been released by the December 19 deadline mandated by the Epstein File Transparency Act. Jayapal further criticized Bondi’s lack of transparency and the transfer of Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison after her deposition with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in August.

In February 2025, Bondi claimed to have had a list of Epstein’s clients but later the Justice Department found that no such list existed. The authorities noted that she was referring to related documents instead.

On February 1, the Department of Justice made public over 3 million files connected to Epstein, revealing continued communication between Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Epstein up to 2018, alongside a trove of texts and emails exchanged between Epstein and former White House strategist Steve Bannon concerning various topics over 2018 and 2019.

The files also indicated that President Donald Trump contacted Palm Beach police about Epstein, alleging inappropriate actions in 2006 while he was under investigation for sexual misconduct. Included in the files was a controversial photo of former Prince Andrew alongside a woman on all fours, as well as an unsent email where Epstein suggested that Bill Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted disease from a Russian prostitute.

California Republican Representative Darrell Issa characterized Jayapal’s conduct during the hearing as a mere political “stunt.” He remarked, “Well, look, she was really bad. Single issue forever on this, destructive and irreverent. But the stunt she did was just that—a stunt.”