In a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee, former Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed her lack of authority over the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. She was relieved of her duties by President Trump in April. Bondi argued that Todd Blanche, her former deputy and current successor, held the main responsibility.
Bondi’s candid admission marked a significant departure from her usual aggressive defense against any criticism of her authority. During past Capitol Hill sessions, she had taken a combative stance against Democrats questioning her performance. Representative Robert Garcia of California, the leading Democrat on the committee, reported Bondi’s explanation of Mr. Blanche’s role after the session. She revealed he managed the entire investigation.
Another source present at the hearing stated that Bondi attributed the decision-making on document release to Mr. Blanche and Kash Patel, the director of the F.B.I. However, some current and former Justice Department officials, who requested anonymity, disagreed with Bondi’s account. They claimed Bondi was informed of all key developments in the Epstein case and approved each significant action. This included a memo in July 2025 that ended the review of the files.
After the interview, Bondi took to social media to commend Mr. Blanche’s handling of what she referred to as a ‘herculean task.’ She described him as an exceptional attorney general, denying any tension between them.