Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing renewed scrutiny as the Department of Justice prepares to respond to Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court—a decision that comes amid backlash over the DOJ’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Maxwell, the British socialite and convicted s*x trafficker, is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s abuse network. Her legal team argues she was wrongly prosecuted due to a 2008 non-prosecution agreement involving Epstein in Florida, and is asking the Supreme Court to review her case. The Trump administration’s response is due Monday, July 14.
Why It Matters
Bondi has come under fire from Trump’s MAGA base following a recent DOJ/FBI memo concluding there is no “client list” and no evidence that Epstein blackmailed powerful individuals. This contradicted earlier public comments by Bondi that implied such a document existed—remarks later walked back by the White House.
The backlash has only grown as Maxwell’s appeal forces the DOJ to take a clear stance on one of the most controversial legal cases in recent memory.
Background
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on s*x trafficking charges. He was alleged to have exploited hundreds of underage girls and to have facilitated abuse by high-profile associates. No public figures have been charged, though figures like Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew have all faced scrutiny. All deny wrongdoing.
Earlier this year, Trump ordered a review of the Epstein case. Hopes among his base that it would produce new revelations were dashed when the DOJ and FBI issued a memo last week declaring that no client list existed and that there was no credible evidence of blackmail.
“The systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list,’” the memo stated. “We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
That conclusion sparked outrage across conservative media, with some commentators accusing Bondi of a cover-up.
Maxwell’s Legal Argument
In filings reviewed by Newsweek, Maxwell’s lawyers argue she was protected under the 2008 deal Epstein struck with prosecutors in Florida, which promised not to pursue charges against his alleged co-conspirators.
“Because the United States prosecuted Maxwell in a different judicial circuit than where Epstein’s deal was made, her motion to dismiss was denied,” her team wrote. “Had she been charged in at least four other circuits, her case would have been thrown out.”
Solicitor General D. John Sauer, appointed by Trump, has twice requested extensions on the DOJ’s response to Maxwell’s appeal. After delays, the deadline was set for July 14.
What People Are Saying
Fox host Megyn Kelly blasted Bondi during a speech at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit:
“It’s creating a real hornet’s nest in the administration—and I blame Pam Bondi,” Kelly said. “She’s the one who’s dangled promises about Epstein files being ‘on her desk,’ yet here we are.”
Kelly also criticized FBI officials Dan Bongino and Kash Patel for staying silent after joining the bureau, despite having raised concerns about Epstein prior to their appointments.
Meanwhile, Trump defended Bondi on Truth Social, writing:
“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and ‘gals’? They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We have a PERFECT Administration, and selfish people are trying to hurt it—all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.”
What Happens Next
The DOJ is expected to either submit its response to Maxwell’s appeal or request a third extension. Regardless, a formal filing with the Supreme Court is due Monday, clarifying the government’s position—or lack thereof.
