Attorney General Pam Bondi engaged in a series of shouting matches with Democratic lawmakers and insulted a Republican colleague during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing Wednesday, as tensions erupted over the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein records and its pursuit of criminal cases against critics of President Donald Trump. The hearing marked Bondi’s first major public testimony since taking office, with Epstein survivors seated in the front row and Trump privately expressing frustration over what he views as slow progress delivering on his agenda.
At times, Bondi appeared to be reading from pre-written talking points and repeatedly praised Trump, calling him “the greatest president in American history.”
Who Is Pam Bondi?
Pam Bondi, 60, is the 88th attorney general of the United States, appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed in 2025. She previously served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and gained national prominence as a Trump defender during his first impeachment trial.
Wednesday’s hearing was a routine oversight session of the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. It was Bondi’s first appearance before Congress since her confirmation. The hearing focused on the Justice Department’s budget, its handling of high-profile investigations, and compliance with a congressional mandate to release remaining files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
What Happened Between Bondi & Epstein Survivors?
Before the hearing began, Epstein survivors and their family members held a press conference condemning the Justice Department’s handling of the case. Dani Bensky, a survivor, said: “The DOJ needs to do its job. Give us the rest of the files and start the investigations.”
Sky Roberts, brother of Virginia Giuffre, directly addressed Bondi: “Do your job, Pam.” He called the department’s handling “nothing short of a failure.”
During the hearing, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., asked the women in attendance to stand. She then challenged Bondi to turn to them and apologize for the department’s failure to fully redact survivors’ names when files were made public. Bondi declined.
Bondi later asked Democrats: “Do you apologize to President Trump, all of you who participated in those impeachment hearings against Donald Trump? You all should be apologizing.”
What Happened Between Bondi and Rep. Thomas Massie?
The most contentious exchange occurred not with a Democrat but with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who co-authored the legislation compelling the Justice Department to release its Epstein records. Massie accused the department of over-redacting information in some instances while inadvertently releasing survivors’ personal information in others.
Bondi responded: “This guy has Trump derangement syndrome. You’re a failed politician.”
Trump has endorsed Massie’s primary opponent in the 2026 midterm elections. Bondi’s remarks drew audible reactions from both sides of the aisle.
What Personal Attacks Did Bondi Direct at Democrats?
Bondi repeatedly accused Democratic lawmakers of engaging in “theatrics” and stated she would not “get in the gutter with these people,” though she proceeded to lob personal attacks throughout the hearing.
- She called Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the committee’s ranking Democrat, a “washed-up lawyer.”
- She accused Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, who has served 20 years in Congress, of lacking experience.
- She told Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., that Scanlon “didn’t get anything regarding public safety.” Scanlon replied: “Thank you for the insult.”
- Bondi also accused what she termed “liberal activist judges” of engaging in “coordinated judicial opposition” to the Trump administration.
What Did Bondi Say About ‘Weaponization’ & Criminal Referrals?
“Weaponization has ended,” Bondi declared at one point during the hearing. She told Chairman Jim Jordan that she had received his criminal referral asking for former CIA Director John Brennan.
The hearing took place hours after NBC News reported that a federal grand jury had rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to indict Democratic lawmakers over a social media video urging military and intelligence personnel to follow their oaths and refuse “illegal orders.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin said Bondi had “turned the people’s Department of Justice into Trump’s instrument of revenge.” He added: “Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza and you deliver every time he tells you to go after James Comey, Letitia James, Lisa Cook and Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve Board, and members of Congress.”
Has Trump Privately Criticized Bondi?
A White House aide told NBC News that Trump has complained about Bondi to aides and allies in recent weeks, describing her as “weak” and insufficiently aggressive in pursuing cases against his perceived opponents.
Following reports that first emerged in The Wall Street Journal, the White House issued a statement from Trump saying Bondi was “doing an excellent job.” The statement included praise from Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Did Bondi and Rep. Eric Swalwell Reach Any Agreement?
Despite the heated exchanges, Bondi and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., a prominent Trump critic, reached a rare moment of collegiality. Swalwell, who has repeatedly spoken about receiving death threats and has limited his children’s outdoor activities as a result, asked Bondi why the Justice Department had not brought charges against individuals who threatened him.
“None of you should be threatened, ever,” Bondi said, addressing all lawmakers present. “None of your children should be threatened. None of your families should be threatened.”
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
