Attorney General Pam Bondi Faces Intense Congressional Questioning Over Epstein Files
Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, facing rigorous interrogation about the Justice Department's handling of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This marked her first Congressional appearance since October, when she clashed with Democrats over allegations of weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents of former President Donald Trump.
Admission of Mistakes in Epstein Files Release
Bondi acknowledged in a letter to federal judges this week that mistakes were made in the handling of the Epstein case files. The Justice Department has faced substantial criticism for its implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, with lawmakers from both parties accusing the department of excessive redactions, inconsistent document handling, and exposing survivors' identities.
The release process has been staggered and controversial. Only a small portion of files were made public by the initial December 19 deadline, followed by another batch on December 23. Five weeks later, a third and much larger release occurred, comprising approximately three million pages of documents. The Justice Department subsequently declared it had fulfilled its obligations under the act, but this claim has been met with widespread skepticism and scrutiny.
Contempt Threats and Legislative Pressure
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who co-authored the legislation mandating the files' release, suggested holding Bondi in contempt if she fails to adequately address the committee's concerns. During a Tuesday interview with CNN's The Source, Massie stated, "The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi."
Massie emphasized that this option remains viable if Bondi does not fully acknowledge the department's errors and commit to releasing additional documents. "You know, it's hard to refer to a contempt charge on an attorney general to the attorney general. This is the problem that you run into," he explained, highlighting the procedural challenges of holding a sitting attorney general accountable.
Committee Proceedings and Questioning Format
The hearing commenced at 10 a.m. on Wednesday with all 44 members of the House Judiciary Committee present. Each lawmaker was allocated five minutes to question the attorney general, creating a structured but potentially intense interrogation environment. Beyond the Epstein files, Bondi was expected to face questions about Justice Department and FBI investigations into the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration officers in Minnesota the previous month.
Broader Political Context and Related Revelations
The hearing occurred against a backdrop of continued political fallout from Epstein-related associations. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick admitted during Senate Appropriations Committee testimony that he had lunch with Jeffrey Epstein on the financier's island in 2012, prompting bipartisan calls for his resignation.
Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina offered a harsh critique of Lutnick's actions, telling NewsNation, "As a mom, I wouldn't sit and have lunch with a convicted pedophile. I don't think that's something that I would personally do, but that's my personal choice." While acknowledging Lutnick's truthfulness under oath, Mace emphasized the ethical implications of associating with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
The Congressional hearing represents a critical moment for accountability and transparency in one of the most high-profile cases in recent memory, with Bondi's testimony potentially influencing future investigations and document release protocols.
