Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to answer questions regarding President Donald Trump's involvement in the release of Jeffrey Epstein files.
The refusal complicates efforts by Democratic lawmakers to determine if the executive branch influenced the Justice Department's decision to make the documents public. This probe centers on whether political pressure affected the transparency of the case.
Bondi appeared on May 29, 2026 [1], for a closed-door hearing before a House Judiciary Committee panel in Washington, D.C. During the session, Democratic lawmakers sought specific details about any direction provided by President Trump regarding the publishing of the files. Bondi said she could not comment on that matter.
Despite her refusal to answer specific questions during the congressional testimony, Bondi defended the administration's overall approach in a separate interview. She said the Justice Department acted with "justice and transparency" under President Trump's direction.
The hearing follows ongoing scrutiny over the handling of the Epstein case and the subsequent release of sensitive materials. Lawmakers have focused on the timeline of the Justice Department's actions, and the internal communications that led to the public disclosure of the files.
Because the hearing was held behind closed doors, the full extent of the questioning and Bondi's specific legal justifications for her silence remain undisclosed to the public. The House panel continues to investigate the processes used to curate and release the files to ensure no undue influence was exerted by the presidency.
“Bondi said she could not comment on that matter.”
The refusal to testify on this specific point creates a procedural deadlock for the House Judiciary Committee. By invoking a lack of ability to comment, Bondi prevents the committee from establishing a direct link, or lack thereof, between the White House and the Justice Department's disclosure process, leaving the question of executive influence unresolved.
