• U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense scrutiny during a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding Epstein files.
• Bondi clashed with lawmakers, accusing some of engaging in political theatrics while being questioned about the DOJ's handling of redactions.
• Democratic and Republican lawmakers criticized the heavy redaction of Epstein-related documents, demanding more accountability.
• Several Epstein survivors attended the hearing, raising objections to their identities being exposed in released documents.
• Bondi defended her actions and the department's integrity while refusing to apologize for the alleged mismanagement.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, where she was pressed on the Justice Department's (DOJ) handling of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing quickly escalated into heated confrontations, with Bondi and lawmakers trading barbs over the department's release of documents and accountability in prosecuting Epstein-related crimes. Lawmakers, frustrated by the heavy redactions in the files, expressed that the DOJ had failed to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates broad disclosure of documents. They accused Bondi's department of shielding powerful figures associated with Epstein while exposing the identities of his victims, prompting bipartisan criticism, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

During the hearing, Bondi faced particularly sharp criticism from Democratic representative Jamie Raskin, who accused her of siding with perpetrators and downplaying the suffering of victims. Raskin remarked, "As attorney general, you are siding with the perpetrators, and you’re ignoring the victims," emphasizing Bondi’s alleged negligence regarding the release of sensitive information about Epstein's survivors, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

At one point in the fiery exchange, Bondi rebuffed calls for an apology, suggesting that the questioning was mere "theatrics." She stated that her office was transparent about the errors made during the document release and insisted that any mistakes were not significant in the context of the monumental task of processing millions of pages, a stance she maintained despite vocal objections from various lawmakers, according to BBC and India Times.

The hearing also drew emotional reactions and participation from victims present, highlighting the critical importance of accountability and transparency in the DOJ's proceedings related to Epstein. Representative Pramila Jayapal underscored the gravity of the situation by revealing that all victims present had not been granted the opportunity to meet with the DOJ to discuss their cases, further intensifying the urgency for Bondi to address these issues directly, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

Bondi’s contentious stance throughout the hearing reflected broader concerns from both party lines about the politicization of the Justice Department under the Trump administration. Lawmakers pushed her to clarify how many individuals connected to Epstein's activities were currently under investigation, an inquiry met with Bondi's dismissal of accusations of political retribution. This conflict underscored the complexities of justice and politics in a high-profile case that has become a focal point for both parties, according to BBC and Reuters.