Attorney General Pam Bondi is under increasing fire from not just MAGA influencers, but also from within the Trump administration, following the Department of Justice’s controversial memo on Jeffrey Epstein.
The uproar began after the DOJ and FBI released an unsigned two-page memo on Sunday night, stating that Epstein died by suicide, that no client list exists, and that no further disclosures are warranted. The document enraged Trump’s base, many of whom were anticipating bombshell revelations about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures.
Bondi, who previously raised expectations during a February Fox News interview by saying an Epstein client list was “sitting on my desk to review,” quickly became the focus of that anger. Her comments were widely interpreted as a promise of impending transparency. But when the latest release failed to deliver anything new, frustration boiled over.
“The list? There was no list ever on her desk, because there is no list,” one administration official told Semafor. “She’s been overpromising for months.”
Bondi Tries to Clarify
At a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Bondi attempted to walk back her earlier comments, saying the “list” referred more broadly to the Epstein file along with JFK and MLK files she had on her desk awaiting review—not an actual client list.
“That’s what I meant by that,” Bondi told reporters.
The Binder Backlash
Adding fuel to the fire was a February White House event hosted by Bondi, where right-wing influencers were invited and handed binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1.” When the influencers later discovered there was little to no new information, discontent turned to outrage.
“We were all told more was coming,” wrote Jack Posobiec.
“It’s time to fire Pam Bondi,” declared Liz Wheeler.
Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project and a Heritage Foundation fellow, criticized the entire rollout as a communications failure:
“There was a series of flubs… the binders, and just a really clunky, weird lack of process.”
A DOJ spokesperson pushed back, claiming Bondi made clear that the binder materials weren’t bombshells but were intended as a step toward transparency. Influencer Rogan O’Handley, who also attended the event, backed that claim to some extent, saying they were told “a lot of the info was not new,” but that “some” new material was included.
Still, some inside the White House weren’t convinced.
“She chose to bloviate during B-blocks instead of being forthright,” one Trump insider said. “And when’s she holding a press briefing?”
Bigger Than Epstein
The frustration with Bondi isn’t just about Epstein, either. Many conservatives feel she has underperformed on broader DOJ issues, especially on the alleged weaponization of government against conservatives.
“There are very serious people who are upset with Pam Bondi, and it has nothing to do with Epstein or chemtrails,” another Trump ally said.
Where Does Trump Stand?
While Trump himself appears largely dismissive of the Epstein discourse, some close to the issue believe he’s privately frustrated with how Bondi has handled the matter.
“Are you guys still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?” Trump asked reporters Tuesday. “We have Texas. We have this. We have all of the things. And people are still talking about this creep? That is unbelievable.”
Still, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement of support, saying Trump is “proud” of Bondi’s work and calling reports of internal division “baseless and unfounded.”
MAGA Still Wants Answers
Despite Trump’s impatience, many in his base remain deeply invested in the Epstein case. They want transparency, answers, and accountability—especially given Epstein’s past proximity to high-level figures, including Trump himself, as Elon Musk pointed out again this week.
If Trump continues to brush off the controversy, the backlash aimed at Bondi could begin to reach him, especially if supporters feel misled by repeated promises of revelations that never come.
Others Under Fire
Bondi isn’t the only one catching heat. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino—both of whom have previously questioned Epstein’s official cause of death—are also facing criticism for their perceived silence following the memo’s release.
As one MAGA insider put it:
“This isn’t going away. People want the truth—and they don’t think they’re getting it from Pam Bondi.”
