Pam Bondi Deflects Epstein Victims’ Questions by Highlighting Stock Market Performance

On February 11, 2026, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee during a contentious oversight hearing focused on the Department of Justice’s handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers from both parties pressed Bondi on various aspects of the release of the Epstein files, including alleged failures to protect the privacy of victims and the lack of indictments of any co‑conspirators named in the materials. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

During the hearing, Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler asked Bondi how many Epstein co‑conspirators the Justice Department had indicted or was investigating. Instead of directly answering the question, Bondi shifted the conversation to the performance of U.S. financial markets, stating that the Dow Jones Industrial Average had risen above 50,000, the S&P 500 was near 7,000, and the Nasdaq was setting record highs. She said that Americans’ retirement savings and 401(k) accounts were “booming” and suggested that lawmakers should focus on the economy rather than the Epstein files. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Bondi’s remarks about the stock market came amid broader criticism from lawmakers and advocates, including survivors of Epstein’s crimes who attended the hearing. Critics argued that her emphasis on economic indicators diverted attention from concerns about how the Justice Department handled sensitive victim information and other aspects of the Epstein files release. Bondi maintained that the department had acted appropriately under the law and defended other aspects of the administration’s record. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}