Washington, D.C. – October 8, 2025 – In a contentious oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 7, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp questioning from Democrats over the Department of Justice’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s records and broader agency matters. The session highlighted deep partisan divides, with Bondi deflecting inquiries and launching personal counterattacks against her critics.
The hearing, aimed at scrutinizing the DOJ’s operations under the Trump administration, quickly escalated into heated exchanges. Democrats pressed Bondi on the status of Epstein’s files, particularly FBI efforts to search for mentions of former President Donald Trump and any alleged photographs involving him. Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex trafficking, has been at the center of ongoing controversies regarding high-profile connections, and his records remain a flashpoint for transparency demands.
Bondi, a staunch Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, sidestepped direct answers on the Epstein inquiries, instead redirecting the conversation to broader DOJ priorities. When questioned about potential prosecutions of Trump’s political critics—a concern raised amid reports of retaliatory investigations—she responded with pointed remarks about the senators’ own histories. Notably, she referenced Senator Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Conn.) past claims about his military service during the Vietnam War era, accusing him of exaggeration in a move that drew gasps from the audience.
The Attorney General also addressed the recent government shutdown’s ripple effects on law enforcement, emphasizing resource strains but framing them as temporary hurdles overcome through departmental resilience. “We’re getting the job done despite the obstacles thrown our way,” Bondi stated, without providing specifics on mitigation strategies.
Republicans on the committee rallied behind Bondi, praising her for standing firm against what they described as “partisan witch hunts.” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) commended her responses, saying, “The Attorney General is defending the rule of law against baseless attacks.” The session underscored ongoing tensions over DOJ independence and transparency, with Democrats accusing the department of politicization under Bondi’s leadership.
This hearing comes amid broader scrutiny of the Trump administration’s justice policies, including efforts to reform federal law enforcement and address high-profile cases like Epstein’s. Critics argue that delays in releasing Epstein-related documents fuel suspicions of cover-ups, while supporters maintain that the DOJ is operating within legal bounds.
As of the latest update, no immediate actions or resolutions emerged from the hearing, but it is expected to fuel further debates in Congress. Bondi’s office has not responded to requests for additional comment.
