Bondi to face closed-door questioning from House committee over Epstein files US politics

Pam Bondi is testifying before the US House Oversight and Reform Committee in a closed-door session. The appearance follows the committee’s announcement in late April and comes after Democrats filed a civil contempt resolution against her. Scrutiny centers on the Justice Department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, including missing a 19 December deadline and later releasing files on 31 January. Lawmakers seek information about how the Trump administration handled the Epstein files and related matters, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison sentence. Survivors and lawmakers have raised concerns about improper disclosure of sensitive personal information and criticized redactions. The Justice Department says it acted in accordance with the law. Separately, a Spokane jury convicted an Afghanistan War veteran and two others for federal conspiracy charges tied to a protest outside an ICE facility.

"Former attorney-general Pam Bondi is testifying before the US House oversight and reform committee, a long-awaited appearance that brings fresh scrutiny of the administration's release of the Epstein files. The committee announced in late April that Bondi would be appearing before the panel as part of its investigation, shortly after Democrats on the committee filed a civil contempt resolution against her. Bondi's appearance comes as the justice department has faced criticism in recent months over its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, after the department failed to meet the act's 19 December deadline to release the relevant files, instead releasing what it claimed were the full files on 31 January."

"The session will be held behind closed doors. The transcribed interview will give lawmakers a chance to dig for information on the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files and other related matters, including the prison sentence of his former girlfriend and confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell. I think she absolutely could clear up many missing pieces if she wanted to, said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Now it's a question of whether or not she is willing to be transparent."

"Survivors of Epstein's abuse have also raised concerns that sensitive personal information was improperly disclosed in the files, while several lawmakers have also criticized some of the redactions in the documents. The department has maintained that it acted in accordance with the law."

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