Bongino and Bondi Clash Behind Closed Doors Over Epstein Memo Fallout
Tensions inside President Donald Trump’s Justice Department have erupted into public view as Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly find themselves at serious odds over the political and legal blowback surrounding the latest findings on Jeffrey Epstein.
According to multiple sources cited by CBS News, Bongino was noticeably absent from work Friday following what insiders described as a “heated exchange” with Bondi earlier in the week. The clash centered on how the department chose to unveil the conclusions of its internal review into Epstein’s death — a memo that has deeply divided the public and raised eyebrows across the conservative base.
An FBI official allegedly called Bongino’s absence a “pressing issue” for the Bureau. His silence comes after the department released a memo concluding that Epstein died by suicide and that no “client list” or blackmail materials exist — a claim many on the Right find increasingly difficult to swallow.
Clash at the White House
The friction reportedly came to a head during a Wednesday meeting at the White House with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in attendance. Axios first reported the encounter. Two separate sources confirmed to CBS that Bongino is seriously weighing resignation, frustrated with how the narrative was shaped and released to the public.
One source familiar with the White House meeting said that while President Trump “hasn’t lost confidence in anyone,” there is frustration about Bongino’s handling of the situation. “He’s certainly not helping,” the source said.
Still, the administration pushed back on the idea of internal division. White House spokesman Harrison Fields told the press, “Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.”
“President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims,” Fields added. “This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also defended the department, stating on X: “The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
The Epstein Memo: Still No Closure
The Justice Department memo reaffirmed the original findings that Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while in federal custody in Manhattan. Epstein had been awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The DOJ inspector general and the FBI jointly conducted the review.
The memo stated that video footage confirmed Epstein was locked in his cell and that no one entered his unit at the time of his death. Officials also claimed no evidence was found implicating third parties, and no incriminating “client list” was discovered — directly contradicting months of statements from Bondi herself.
Bondi had repeatedly stated that she possessed a “client list” and that the FBI was thoroughly reviewing it to protect victims before any release. This week, however, during a Cabinet meeting, she walked back that assertion, clarifying that she was referring more broadly to Epstein-related documents, not a specific list of names.
The reversal has left many conservatives feeling betrayed, especially as skepticism about the Epstein case continues to grow.
One Missing Minute and Many Unanswered Questions
The latest memo dismissed widespread claims of foul play, though a missing one-minute gap in the jail surveillance footage has raised new suspicions. Bondi attributed the gap to outdated equipment, saying the jail’s security system briefly shuts down each night.
For many Americans, that explanation falls flat. Epstein’s death — and the government’s investigation — has long been a lightning rod for conspiracy theories and concerns about elite protection. Bongino, along with FBI Director Kash Patel, has reportedly shared some of those concerns.
Adding to the intrigue, earlier this year a group of 15 conservative influencers were handed binders at the White House marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1.” The materials were distributed during a closed-door meeting with President Trump, Bondi, Vice President JD Vance, and Patel.
Despite the anticipation, the influencers reported that the contents didn’t reveal much new information. The binders, they said, seemed more like a gesture than a bombshell.
A Struggle for Truth — and Trust
The fallout from the Epstein memo may only be beginning. While President Trump continues to stand behind his team publicly, the disconnect between Bondi’s prior assertions and the DOJ’s latest conclusions has triggered serious backlash from the very voters who put Trump back in office.
As the administration seeks to restore public trust and maintain its law-and-order credibility, the political pressure surrounding Epstein’s legacy — and the government’s transparency — will only intensify.