In a heated congressional hearing, US Attorney General Pam Bondi was confronted by lawmakers over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bondi defended the justice department amid criticisms regarding redactions of sensitive information within released documents on Epstein's crimes, which drew anger from victims present at the hearing. Lawmakers criticized the department's apparent failure to keep survivors' identities confidential, with Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal stating that some nude images of survivors were disclosed.
Bondi labeled Epstein a 'monster' and expressed regret for the suffering inflicted on his victims but faced a fierce bipartisan backlash when discussing the handling of the justice department's investigations.
The discussion spiraled into personal attacks when Bondi purportedly called one Democrat a 'washed-up loser', leading to heightened tensions among members of Congress. Lawmakers from across the aisle condemned the release of documents that potentially compromised victims' privacy, fueling demands for accountability from Bondi.
Additionally, Bondi fielded inquiries about a controversial police shooting in Minneapolis, marking the meeting as critical not just for its direct implications on the Epstein case but also for broader scrutiny of governmental accountability and justice for marginalized communities.
