Former Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee that Todd Blanche, whom President Donald Trump plans to nominate as her permanent successor, was "in charge" of the Justice Department's controversial release of files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Bondi's testimony on Epstein case
During her appearance on Capitol Hill last week, Bondi also stated she was "not certain of the extent" of Trump's knowledge about Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes before they became public. Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson asserted in a statement Thursday that Trump had been "totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein."
According to a transcript released by the committee, Bondi claimed Blanche, who served as her deputy at the Justice Department, was responsible for the "entire release of the Epstein files." Blanche was appointed acting attorney general after Bondi's ouster, and Trump announced this week his intention to nominate Blanche permanently.
Department's handling under scrutiny
Bondi faced questions about the department's handling of the Epstein files during her tenure, as the department continues to face scrutiny over compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the release of Epstein-related records. The department maintains it acted lawfully.
Lawmakers from both parties, as well as survivors of Epstein's abuse, have criticized certain actions, including redactions and disclosure of sensitive personal information in the files.
In her opening statement and throughout her testimony, Bondi defended the department's handling while distancing herself from the release, stating she did not "lead every aspect" but delegated oversight to Blanche.
"He was in charge of the process and the entire release of the Epstein files," she told lawmakers on May 29. She also said she did not "conduct that document review myself" and delegated oversight to Blanche.
Bondi acknowledged "there were redaction errors" but insisted the department has been "committed to accountability and transparency since day one."
Democratic lawmakers' response
During a break in questioning, several Democratic lawmakers told reporters that Bondi was blaming Blanche for mistakes, including redactions and failure to protect survivors. Bondi later pushed back on social media, calling that characterization "NOT TRUE" and saying she praised Blanche's management of a "Herculean task."
In the transcript, Bondi is seen making the claims Democrats referenced but denied blaming Blanche. "Todd Blanche is one of the most highly ethical individuals I know, and I think he is making an incredible Acting Attorney General," she testified. "He managed this investigation -- and it was a Herculean task -- with very little error."
If formally nominated by Trump, Blanche would require Senate confirmation.
Other revelations
Bondi also told lawmakers she learned of the controversial prison transfer of Maxwell through news reports "after it happened," claiming she had nothing to do with it. When asked if Maxwell should receive a pardon, Bondi replied "no," calling Maxwell a "monster" and adding, "I believe she should die in prison."
Throughout the interview, Bondi declined to discuss conversations with Trump, citing confidentiality. When asked about victims contacting the department, Bondi said multiple victims reached out, but she could not recall how many. She spoke to one attorney but could not recall her name and referred her to the FBI.
Bondi's appearance followed weeks of back-and-forth with the committee. Democrats are now urging Chairman James Comer to call Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to testify as part of the panel's investigation.
