In a tense showdown before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced sharp criticism over the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. The hearing, marked by interruptions, accusations, and personal barbs, highlighted ongoing frustrations with the release of over 3.5 million documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The fireworks began when Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), co-author of the transparency law alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), accused the DOJ of improperly redacting names of non-victims while exposing sensitive victim information. Massie, who had recently viewed unredacted versions, labeled the rollout a “massive failure.” He zeroed in on billionaire Les Wexner, claiming Wexner’s name—appearing hundreds of times and linked to allegations of child sex trafficking—was unjustly redacted until Massie intervened.
“Your deputy attorney general said, ‘Oh, well [Wexner] appears hundreds of times in the files.’ But he doesn’t appear in this file until I forced you to release it where he’s listed as a co-conspirator,” Massie argued. Bondi fired back, dismissing Massie as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and calling him a “political joke,” a “hypocrite,” and a “failed politician.” She noted Wexner’s name was reinstated within 40 minutes, but Massie interjected, “Within 40 minutes of me catching you red-handed!” He escalated, declaring the cover-up “bigger than Watergate,” spanning four administrations, and holding Bondi accountable for the current phase.
Here is @RepThomasMassie absolutely outclassing Pam Bondi today.
Bondi should resign, really her and Kash both should.
It is insane for them to continue this attempt at saving face. pic.twitter.com/5YAvGeTHro
— Leighton Radner/Outlawed Thoughts (@libertyleighton) February 11, 2026
The confrontation wasn’t limited to Massie. Democratic lawmakers piled on, turning the session into a cacophony of shouts. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) demanded Bondi apologize directly to Epstein victims present in the room for the DOJ’s mishandling, which she said caused further harm through improper releases. “Will you turn to them now and apologize for what your Department of Justice has put them through?” Jayapal pressed. Bondi rebuffed the request, accusing Jayapal of “theatrics” and referencing prior appearances by former AG Merrick Garland. Jayapal reclaimed her time amid interruptions from Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio.), who insisted Bondi be allowed to respond. “This is not about anybody that came before you. It is about you taking responsibility,” Jayapal retorted.
The hearing underscored deep partisan divides and lingering questions about accountability in the Epstein saga. Victims’ advocates and lawmakers from both sides expressed outrage over redactions protecting powerful figures while failing to shield survivors. Bondi defended the DOJ’s efforts, emphasizing compliance challenges with vast files, but critics like Massie argued for full transparency to expose enablers. As debates rage, the episode signals potential further scrutiny, with calls for investigations into the redactions’ rationale. This clash not only exposed procedural flaws but also amplified demands for justice in one of America’s most infamous scandals.