Attorney General Pam Bondi drew sharp criticism from both conservatives and Democrats after a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing this week focused on the release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
The documents relate to Epstein, a financier who died by suicide in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Their disclosure has become a major political flashpoint, with critics accusing administration officials—including Bondi—of delaying the public release despite a large congressional vote late last year aimed at forcing the documents into the open.
Bondi testified on Wednesday, but lawmakers from both parties repeatedly pressed her on the pace and scope of disclosures. The hearing turned combative at several points, with Bondi engaging in personal exchanges and sidestepping or disputing lines of questioning, according to multiple accounts of the session.
Conservative backlash and resignation calls
Several prominent conservative voices criticized Bondi’s performance and called for her to step down.
Kyle Rittenhouse wrote on X that Bondi should resign and suggested Harmeet Dhillon as a replacement. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, told CNN she had “lost all faith” in the Justice Department, describing it as “a system of injustice.”
Commentator Tim Pool expressed frustration over Bondi’s handling of the matter, saying he wanted to give her credit but could not. Conservative writer Erick Erickson argued in a Substack post that Bondi should “resign or be fired,” calling her performance “ridiculous” and urging a more capable attorney general. GOP congressional candidate Mike Wilnau also posted that Bondi should resign immediately.
The documents at the center of the dispute include material such as investigative emails and other records connected to Epstein. Members of Congress were able to review unredacted versions earlier this week, while the broader release remains the subject of disagreement over redactions, process, and timing.
Trump defends Bondi
President Donald Trump defended Bondi in a post Thursday morning on Truth Social, praising her performance and framing the criticism as politically motivated. He also used the post to argue that he has been fully cleared of allegations of wrongdoing, comparing the episode to past investigations he has denounced.
Heated exchanges with lawmakers
Bondi clashed with Republicans and Democrats during the hearing.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who has pushed for releasing the files, accused Bondi of being caught “red-handed” over edits to an FBI document. Massie questioned whether the Justice Department could determine who had obscured the name of billionaire Les Wexner in a document as a co-conspirator. Bondi said the issue was corrected “within 40 minutes,” prompting Massie to respond that it was only fixed after he flagged it publicly.
Later, Rep. Dan Goldman of New York pressed Bondi on whether the department would commit to releasing an unredacted Epstein email, arguing the public should see the extent of Trump’s connections to Epstein. Bondi responded by referencing Goldman’s past role during Trump’s first impeachment and challenged him to apologize for it. When Goldman repeated his question, Bondi said the information was “privileged” and told him not to yell.
Massie later criticized Bondi again on X, claiming she relied on prepared insults rather than direct answers.
Democrats escalate to impeachment rhetoric
Democrats also amplified calls for consequences after the hearing. Several Democratic candidates posted on X urging impeachment, accusing Bondi of protecting powerful figures and obstructing transparency.
Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan introduced articles of impeachment against Bondi earlier in February—before the hearing—alleging she participated in a cover-up related to the Epstein files and a broader trafficking network.
In a separate post, conservative commentator Evan Kilgore claimed that during the oversight hearing, Epstein survivors indicated they had not been met by Trump’s Justice Department, calling the situation a failure by Bondi. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, alleged Bondi’s department was monitoring members of Congress by reviewing search histories connected to the Epstein files, calling it unacceptable and a violation of separation of powers.
What comes next
The Epstein files are likely to remain a major point of pressure for the administration. While criticism has intensified, Bondi has not indicated she plans to resign. Impeachment efforts also face long odds in a GOP-controlled House, and it remains unclear whether there is enough support among Republicans—despite public frustration from some on the right—to advance such a move.
