WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi came under intense scrutiny on February 11, 2026 during a lengthy House Judiciary Committee hearing as lawmakers confronted her over the Justice Department’s handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related case files and broader concerns about partisan conduct within the department. 

The hearing — the first full congressional oversight session since Bondi took office in February 2025 — was dominated by accusations from Democrats that the department mishandled the release of millions of pages of documents and failed to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed in November 2025 that required the DOJ to publish unclassified materials from the FBI’s extensive files on Epstein’s crimes and network. 

Clash Over Redactions and Transparency

A central issue at the hearing was the redaction of names and information in the released files. Lawmakers accused the Justice Department of obscuring details about powerful individuals mentioned in the files while inadvertently exposing the personal information — including identities and images — of victims. Representative Thomas Massie and others said the handling appeared to shield associates of Epstein. Bondi countered that more than 500 DOJ attorneys and reviewersworked under tight deadlines to process the materials and that inadvertent disclosures were corrected once identified. 

Bondi also declined to directly apologize to Epstein survivors present in the hearing room when Democrats pressed her to face victims and apologize for the department’s errors. Instead, she described demands for a direct apology as political theatrics, even as she professed sympathy for victims’ suffering in her prepared remarks. 

Partisan Exchanges and Personal Attacks

The session grew increasingly combative, with sharp exchanges and personal remarks. At moments, Bondi lashed out at lawmakers, including calling Representative Jamie Raskin a “washed-up loser lawyer” when pressed on specific questions about transparency and accountability. 

Democrats, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Raskin, accused Bondi of deflecting questions and failing to provide clear answers on key issues, including why certain files remained unreleased or overly redacted. Some Democrats also suggested the department’s conduct reflected a broader pattern of using the Justice Department for partisan objectives rather than impartial justice. 

Republican Support and Broader DOJ Agenda

While many Democrats criticized Bondi’s performance, Republicans on the committee defended her record, especially highlighting the DOJ’s focus on reducing violent crime and tackling illegal immigration under her leadership. Committee Chair Jim Jordan and others praised her alignment with the Trump administration’s priorities, framing Democratic criticism as politically motivated. 

Bondi also signaled that the department continued investigations into individuals alleged to have conspired with Epstein, although no new high-profile charges have emerged. Some Republicans noted that the department has balanced transparency with legal obligations, even as critics argue more should be disclosed. 

Context and Fallout

The hearing marks a key moment in ongoing debates over transparency, accountability, and the Justice Department’s role under the Trump administration. The Epstein files controversy stems from the partial release of more than 3 million documents, which followed missed deadlines and extended redaction work under the 2025 transparency law. Critics on both sides of the aisle have warned that too many files remain unpublished or obscured behind redactions that go beyond statutory limits. 

Survivors and advocates have expressed continued dissatisfaction, saying they have not received satisfactory responses or support from the department even as the file releases continue to unfold — and some lawmakers have hinted at further oversight actions if concerns are not fully addressed. 

Sources: AP News, Reuters