Former Attorney General Pam Bondi told congressional investigators Friday that she “didn’t know” if President Donald Trump “knew about [Jeffrey] Epstein’s crimes,” Rep. Dan Walkinshaw (D-Virginia) told reporters after her testimony before a House committee.
She also testified that she delegated oversight of the federal government’s release of Epstein-related records to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, a revelation that quickly intensified Democratic demands for his testimony before Congress.
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Bondi appeared for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as lawmakers continue investigating the Justice Department’s handling of records connected to Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted felon who died in federal custody in 2019.
The former attorney general’s comments immediately shifted attention to Blanche, who served as her deputy during the document-release process.
“The request is, going in today, to Chairman [James] Comer to have Todd Blanche come in,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-California), the top Democrat on the committee, told reporters. “If he doesn’t do it, we’re going to force a subpoena and try to get votes — but he’s got to come in.”
Garcia said FBI Director Kash Patel is “number two on the list” of officials Democrats want to question.
The committee’s investigation stems from widespread criticism surrounding the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related materials. Lawmakers from both parties have questioned how information identifying victims was exposed while details about alleged perpetrators remained redacted.
In prepared remarks obtained by Politico, Bondi acknowledged mistakes occurred during the process.
“There were redaction errors,” Bondi said. “But since day one of this process, this Department has been committed to accountability and transparency.”
Bondi also defended the department’s broader response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation enacted in November that required the government to release records related to the Epstein case.
Still, she distanced herself from direct management of the review process.
“As the head of a large Department with broad responsibilities, I did not lead every aspect of this effort or conduct that document review myself,” Bondi said. “I delegated oversight over this process to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.”
The hearing also renewed criticism of House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. Although the committee voted earlier this year to compel Bondi’s testimony, Comer later converted the appearance into a transcribed interview rather than a formal deposition under oath.
Outside the hearing room, Epstein survivors pressed lawmakers for greater accountability.
One survivor, Sharlene Rochard, urged Comer to require testimony to be given under oath. Comer defended the committee’s approach.
“If you lie to Congress, it’s a felony,” Comer told reporters. “We’re bringing people in that have never been brought in before.”
Democrats also accused Justice Department attorneys of limiting Bondi’s responses during the interview.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico) alleged government lawyers intervened when Bondi was asked about conversations involving
“The United States Department of Justice is intervening on behalf of Pam Bondi to stop her from answering questions about what happened in the cover-up of this case, and her conversations with Donald Trump,” Stansbury told reporters.
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