Pam Bondi’s Limited Role in Epstein Files Revealed

On May 29, 2026, Pam Bondi, who was removed from her position as attorney general by President Trump in April, clarified her limited role in managing the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Her statements were delivered during a private interview with the House Oversight Committee.

Ms. Bondi admitted having little real authority in the oversight of these files, shifting the responsibility to her former deputy and successor, Todd Blanche. Her admission marked a shift from her previous aggressive stance on Capitol Hill, where she often criticized Democrats questioning her actions.

Bondi emphasized that Mr. Blanche managed the entire investigation, according to Representative Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the committee. She also noted that Mr. Blanche decided which documents to release, and frequently referred to Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, during her testimony.

However, current and former Justice Department officials, who requested anonymity, challenged Bondi’s depiction. They claimed she was informed of every significant development in the Epstein case and authorized major decisions, including ending the government’s review of the files in July 2025.

After the interview, Bondi lauded Mr. Blanche for his extensive efforts in handling the case. She described him as an “incredible” attorney general and denied any tension between them in a social media post.