The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released the transcript of a closed-door interview with former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, June 4, 2026 [1].
The release is part of a broader investigation into why the Justice Department withheld millions of documents [2] related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers are seeking to understand the internal decision-making processes that led to the suppression of these files, which may contain critical evidence regarding the financier's network.
Bondi's testimony took place in Washington, D.C., during a private session of the committee [1, 3]. The transcript provides a detailed record of the questioning regarding the handling of the Epstein files, and the specific reasons for their non-disclosure to the public or other government bodies [1, 4].
Legal experts have questioned the government's rationale for the secrecy. Andrew Weissmann said the situation "doesn't make sense" [5]. The investigation focuses on whether the withholding of these documents served a legitimate legal purpose or was an attempt to protect high-profile individuals associated with Epstein [4].
The committee is currently reviewing the transcript alongside other evidence to determine if further hearings or subpoenas are necessary. This move signals a push for greater transparency in how the Justice Department manages sensitive archives involving sex trafficking and systemic abuse [1, 4].
Bondi, who served as Florida's top legal officer, was questioned on her role and knowledge of the files during the period in question [3]. The committee's focus remains on the scale of the withheld information, which is estimated to be in the millions of pages [2].
“"doesn't make sense."”
The release of the Bondi transcript represents a tactical shift by the House Oversight Committee to move from private depositions to public accountability. By making the testimony accessible, lawmakers are putting pressure on the Justice Department to justify the withholding of millions of pages of evidence. If the transcript reveals a lack of legal basis for the secrecy, it could lead to formal demands for the immediate release of the remaining Epstein files.
