Bondi Defends Epstein File Redactions and Political Indictments in House Judiciary Hearing
Key Facts
- 3.5 million pages of Epstein files have been released to date out of approximately 6 million.
- Representative Ro Khanna identified six men from unredacted files: Leslie Wexner, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, Leonic Leonov, and Nicola Caputo.
- An August 2019 FBI document referred to Leslie Wexner as a 'coconspirator.'
- Indictments against James Comey and Letitia James were dismissed due to an unlawful interim appointment.
- Attorney General Bondi called Representative Jamie Raskin a “washed up loser lawyer.”
- Two U.S. citizens were fatally shot during immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department’s redaction of Jeffrey Epstein’s case files and the pursuit of high-profile political indictments during a tense House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday. The testimony addressed the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which has resulted in the release of 3.5 million pages of documents out of an estimated 6 million. Lawmakers questioned Bondi on the continued use of redactions after Representative Ro Khanna and Representative Thomas Massie reviewed unredacted files at the Justice Department. Khanna identified six men whose names were previously blacked out, including billionaire Leslie Wexner and DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
Bondi stated that redactions are legally required to protect personally identifiable information and victims, asserting that appearing in the files does not constitute evidence of a crime. However, Khanna noted that an internal 2019 FBI document labeled Wexner a "coconspirator," though no criminal charges were filed. The hearing also addressed the dismissal of indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. A federal judge recently tossed those cases, ruling that the interim appointment of the lead prosecutor was unlawful. Bondi confirmed the department is appealing these decisions.
Bondi engaged in sharp exchanges with Democratic committee members, at one point referring to Representative Jamie Raskin as a “washed up loser lawyer.” When Representative Ted Lieu accused her of lying regarding allegations against President Donald Trump, Bondi stated there is “no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime.” Additionally, the hearing covered a surge in immigration enforcement in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens. Despite the partisan friction, Bondi and Chairman Jim Jordan expressed agreement with Representative Eric Swalwell on the necessity of investigating the rapid rise in threats against lawmakers and their families.
Historical Context
The Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law in November 2025, mandating the public release of all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting a sex-trafficking trial. The Justice Department has faced criticism for the pace and extent of redactions in the millions of pages of evidence gathered over two decades of investigations. Simultaneously, the department has undergone structural shifts, prioritizing immigration enforcement and drug trafficking, including the recent capture and indictment of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Perspective Analysis
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