Democrats push for special counsel to probe Bondi over Trump-Epstein files

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif) and Dan Goldman (D-NY) are calling on the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The lawmakers filed a formal request with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday, accusing Bondi of committing perjury during a House Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this month.

The focus is on Bondi's February 11 testimony, in which she firmly stated there was "no evidence" of Donald Trump committing a crime. Lieu and Goldman contend that documents released from the Jeffrey Epstein files directly contradict her sworn statement, and they argue that the nation "cannot have a liar and a criminal" serving as its top law enforcement officer. 

Perjury allegations follow heated hearing

The accusations arise from a tense exchange in which Lieu confronted Bondi with video footage and documents from the Epstein files. During the hearing, Bondi dismissed the inquiries as "ridiculous" framing them as distractions from the President's accomplishments.

Lawmakers, however, highlighted an internal 21-page DOJ slideshow containing unverified allegations, including a witness claim that Trump punched her and a tip from a limo driver.

Lieu has been blunt in his assessment, telling The Hill that Bondi "should be prosecuted". He further warned Deputy Attorney General Blanche that failing to appoint a special counsel would make him "complicit in a cover up." 

DOJ dismisses accusations as baseless

The Justice Department has pushed back aggressively, labeling the accusations "salaciously insane" and "baseless."

In a statement on X, the DOJ asserted that the documents Lieu referenced were found to have "ZERO credibility" and accused the congressman of using the platform to further his "political ambition."

The department maintained that all responsive documents have been produced except for those that were duplicates, privileged, or part of an ongoing investigation.

Officials stated that any temporary removal of files from the public library was solely intended to protect victim identities and other personally identifiable information.

Oversight Democrats launch parallel probe

Adding to the pressure, House Oversight Democrats announced they are opening a parallel investigation into the DOJ's record-keeping.

Rep Robert Garcia (D-Calif) stated on Tuesday that he reviewed unredacted evidence logs and believes the department "illegally withheld" FBI interviews with a survivor who accused the President of crimes.

This follows an NPR report that reviewed serial numbers on the Epstein documents and concluded several records relating to Trump appeared to be missing.

While the DOJ insists nothing has been deleted, Oversight Democrats remain skeptical, vowing to investigate if the department is manufacturing excuses to appease its "anti-Trump base."