Former Attorney General Pam Bondi forcefully rejected accusations Friday that she attempted to shift responsibility for the Justice Department’s handling of files related to convicted predator Jeffrey Epstein onto Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The dispute erupted after the first portion of Bondi’s closed-door interview before the House Oversight Committee, where lawmakers questioned her about her role in the department’s management of the Epstein documents. The hearing quickly became another flashpoint in the ongoing debate over how the investigation was conducted and who should be held accountable for decisions that have drawn public scrutiny.
Following the hearing, Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, spoke to reporters and argued that Bondi repeatedly pointed to Blanche as the central figure overseeing the investigation.
According to Garcia, Bondi stated that “Acting AG Blanche was managing the entire investigation.” Garcia claimed that her testimony indicated Blanche was responsible for leading the effort and suggested that responsibility for controversial aspects of the process rested with him.
“It is clear, in just this part of the interview, that she continues to push all of the investigation — and the blame — on acting AG Todd Blanche,” Garcia told reporters.
He went on to argue that Bondi’s comments connected Blanche to issues that critics have raised regarding the handling of the files, including redactions and concerns about the protection of survivors. Garcia also noted that Blanche previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer before becoming acting attorney general.
Bondi, however, quickly disputed Garcia’s characterization of her remarks.
Responding to video of Garcia’s comments on X, Bondi issued a blunt denial.
“NOT TRUE,” she wrote.
Bondi maintained that her comments about Blanche were complimentary rather than critical. She said she praised his leadership throughout the investigation and emphasized her confidence in his conduct and professionalism.
“I praised Acting AG Blanche’s management of this Herculean task,” Bondi wrote. “I said his ethics are beyond reproach and that he is an incredible Attorney General.”
Her response underscored what appears to be a sharp disagreement over how her testimony should be interpreted. While Garcia portrayed her remarks as an effort to redirect responsibility, Bondi insisted she was recognizing Blanche’s work on a difficult assignment.
Garcia was not persuaded by Bondi’s explanation.
In a response posted later Friday, he argued that Bondi’s own statements demonstrated that Blanche had extensive responsibility for the investigation. Garcia wrote that Bondi said Blanche “was managing the entire investigation” and was responsible for redactions that exposed survivors.
He further claimed that Bondi repeatedly referred questions back to Blanche during the interview.
“We think Chairman James Comer should have videotaped this, don’t you agree?” Garcia wrote in his post.
The California Democrat continued his criticism in a separate message, alleging that Bondi “refused to answer ANY questions” regarding President Donald Trump during the hearing.
The exchange highlights growing tensions surrounding congressional oversight of the Epstein files and the Justice Department’s handling of the matter. While lawmakers continue to debate who was responsible for key decisions, the public dispute between Bondi and Garcia demonstrates that questions about accountability remain a source of political conflict long after the investigation itself became a national controversy.
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