Democratic lawmakers sharply questioned United States Attorney General Pam Bondi during a House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the US Department of Justice,” focusing on her handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Jamie Raskin accused Bondi of siding with perpetrators and running a cover-up, while Representative Pramila Jayapal demanded an apology to Epstein’s victims. Survivors of Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking ring attended the hearing, raising concerns about heavy redactions in the released documents.

The hearing followed the passage of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, which requires the Justice Department to release all six million pages of Epstein-related evidence. Democrats argued that Bondi’s department had released only half of the required materials and had redacted names of powerful figures. Bondi defended her record on fighting sexual abuse and rejected accusations of shielding abusers, calling the criticism politically motivated. She also dismissed calls to investigate former President Donald Trump’s links to Epstein, accusing Democrats of deflection.

The dispute underscored broader tensions over transparency and alleged politicization within the Justice Department, as Democrats pressed for full disclosure and accountability under the new law.