Pam Bondi Refuses to Look at Epstein Victims During Hearing

On February 11, 2026, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing examining the Justice Department’s handling of released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Democratic lawmakers repeatedly pressed Bondi on the department’s delayed disclosures and the publication of sensitive information about Epstein victims in the released files. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

During questioning, Representative Pramila Jayapal asked Epstein survivors in the audience to raise their hands if they had not yet been able to meet with the Department of Justice. All present raised their hands, and Jayapal then requested that Bondi turn around, face the victims, and apologize for the Justice Department’s handling of the case. Bondi declined to turn to face the victims, did not apologize directly to them, and instead deflected to comments about her predecessor. She said she would not “get in the gutter for theatrics.” :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Bondi had earlier expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims in her opening remarks, stating she was “deeply sorry for what any victim has been through, especially as a result of that monster.” However, multiple survivors and their advocates said they felt ignored and lacked empathy during the hearing because Bondi did not directly address or face them when challenged. The exchange was part of a broader contentious session in which lawmakers criticized the Justice Department’s transparency and redaction practices related to the Epstein files. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}