Pam Bondi Declines Questions on Trump’s Role in Epstein Files Release

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi declined to answer questions about President Donald Trump’s involvement in the Department of Justice’s handling and release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During a nearly four-hour interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 29, Bondi repeatedly refused to discuss conversations she may have had with Trump, citing privilege.

“I won’t discuss any conversations that I had or did not have with the president of the United States,” Bondi said, according to a transcript released by the committee.

The interview transcript became public on Thursday.

Questions Focused on Trump and Epstein Files

Lawmakers questioned Bondi about reports that she informed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein-related files before Congress passed legislation requiring the release of the records last November.

Bondi also declined to answer whether Trump directed her or other Justice Department officials to take specific actions regarding the files.

However, she acknowledged that Trump had instructed the Justice Department to investigate several prominent Democratic figures.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon accompanied Bondi during the interview and rejected similar lines of questioning.

“You’re not going to get answers on those issues,” Dhillon told lawmakers.

Bondi Defends DOJ Transparency Efforts

Although Bondi distanced herself from the daily management of the Epstein files review, she defended the Justice Department’s overall approach.

She told lawmakers she was “proud of the Department’s record and commitment to transparency.”

Bondi said former Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche led the review and release process from the beginning.

According to her testimony, Blanche oversaw the recruitment of attorneys who reviewed the files and approved document redactions before public release.

Bondi also stated that she was not involved in drafting a joint FBI and DOJ memorandum issued in July. The memo said investigators found no incriminating “client list” connected to Epstein and concluded that no further disclosure of files was necessary.

Errors During Document Release

Bondi acknowledged that some released documents mistakenly contained names and identifying details of victims.

She said officials moved quickly to address the problem after discovering the errors.

“I had grave concerns about victims’ names being released because of the volume of documents in the timeframe in which those documents had to be released,” Bondi said.

She added that officials were upset when a victim’s identity was inadvertently made public.

Questions About Ongoing Investigations

Lawmakers also asked Bondi whether any individuals named in Epstein-related records were under active investigation.

Bondi declined to provide details and referred such questions to current Justice Department leadership.

She said she was unsure whether any investigations involving high-profile individuals were ongoing.

When asked specifically about allegations involving Prince Andrew, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Bondi said she did not know whether he was the subject of an active investigation.

Prince Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Clarifies Earlier Comments About Epstein Files

Bondi also addressed previous comments she made on Fox News, where she said Epstein’s client list was on her desk for review.

She told lawmakers that her remarks had been misunderstood and that she was referring to a broader collection of files, including records related to President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“I meant the files to review. I had not reviewed them at that time, and I made that clear,” she said.

Maxwell Should Remain in Prison, Bondi Says

Bondi also discussed the Justice Department’s decision to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate.

She said officials believed Maxwell could potentially provide information about other individuals involved in criminal activity connected to Epstein.

Addressing speculation about a possible pardon, Bondi strongly rejected the idea.

“She should die in prison,” Bondi said.

Bondi described Maxwell as a “monster” and accused her of helping recruit young women into a system of abuse and exploitation.

Maxwell is currently serving a prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.