Bondi Defends DOJ’s Epstein Files Release, Says ‘Justice And Transparency Have Been Delivered’

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department’s release of Jeffrey Epstein-related records on Friday, telling House investigators that the department complied with federal law and provided the American people with a level of disclosure not seen under prior administrations.

Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview as lawmakers continued examining how the federal government handled the Epstein case, what records have already been released, and whether additional documents remain shielded from public view.

In opening remarks obtained by multiple outlets, Bondi said the Justice Department had met its obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and gone further than previous administrations in making records available.

“Justice and transparency have been delivered,” Bondi told lawmakers.

Bondi said the department released all materials required by law, while also acknowledging mistakes in the massive document review process. She specifically pointed to redaction errors that improperly exposed certain victim information.

The former attorney general described the release as a major effort involving millions of pages of records and an extensive review process across the department.

“We demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to transparency in the Department’s search for, collection, and review of the Epstein files,” Bondi said.

According to details reported after the interview, roughly three million pages of material were ultimately released to the public.

Bondi also told lawmakers that she delegated oversight of the release process to then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is now serving as acting attorney general.

Friday’s hearing marked Bondi’s most detailed defense of the Justice Department’s actions since leaving office in April. She arrived at the Capitol wearing a bandage on her neck after recent treatment for thyroid cancer.

Republicans used the interview to press for answers on whether any additional Epstein-related records can legally be released.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said the goal is full transparency within the bounds of the law.

“We’re going to try to determine whether or not there can be more documents legally turned over,” Comer said before the interview. “I want every document. I don’t want anything held back.”

Democrats, meanwhile, focused much of their criticism on Bondi’s refusal to discuss conversations involving President Donald Trump.

According to lawmakers who attended the interview, Bondi declined to answer questions about communications with Trump, citing executive privilege concerns and the long-recognized protections surrounding conversations between presidents and senior administration officials.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) accused Bondi of withholding information that Democrats claimed could clarify the administration’s handling of the Epstein records.

Other Democrats objected to the interview being conducted behind closed doors and not recorded for public release.

The political fight over Trump and Epstein surfaced repeatedly during the hearing, with Democrats arguing that Bondi had a chance to address questions about Trump’s relationship with Epstein but declined to engage on privileged communications.

However, recently released Justice Department records appear to undercut some of the more aggressive claims pushed by Trump’s political opponents.

One document released earlier this year reportedly showed that Trump was among the first people to alert Palm Beach authorities to concerns about Epstein’s conduct.

According to records cited during the investigation, Trump contacted Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter in 2006 while Epstein was under investigation and allegedly remarked, “Thank goodness you’re stopping him; everyone knows he’s been doing this.”

The records also reportedly state that Trump told investigators he had encountered Epstein in the presence of teenage girls and immediately distanced himself from the situation.

Bondi was also questioned about convicted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

According to sources familiar with her testimony, Bondi said she opposes any pardon for Maxwell and believes she should spend the rest of her life in prison.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal sentence after being convicted on sex trafficking-related offenses connected to Epstein’s operation.

The hearing came nearly 15 months after Bondi first promised to release Epstein-related records, and months after Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act requiring the Justice Department to disclose investigative materials.

No prior administration had taken that step.