Pam Bondi shifts Epstein files blame to Todd Blanche, distances herself in closed-door testimony

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated during a closed-door House Oversight Committee session that key responsibility for managing the Jeffrey Epstein case files rested with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, seemingly effectively shifting oversight of the controversial document review process away from herself, according to information shared by Rep Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat.

The hearing, held on Friday, May 29, focused on how the Justice Department handled the release, redactions and internal review of Epstein-related records amid ongoing political scrutiny.

Pam Bondi seemingly shifts blame to Todd Blanche

Garcia said Bondi told lawmakers that “Acting AG Blanche was managing the entire investigation,” highlighting him as the official overseeing operational decisions tied to document review and release.

He added that Bondi also suggested she did not personally lead every aspect of the process, instead relying on department staff and senior officials for execution of the file handling and classification work.

Garcia further noted that when lawmakers attempted to ask about communications involving President Donald Trump, Bondi declined to answer, with Justice Department counsel present in the room stepping in on multiple occasions during questioning.

He also raised concerns that questions about survivor privacy and redactions in the released material remained largely unresolved after the session.

Separately, Garcia expressed disappointment in Bondi's remarks not getting video-taped.

He wrote on X: ''Bondi, you said 'Blanche was managing the entire investigation' and you said he was responsible for redactions that exposed survivors. You deflected to him over 30 times. We think Chairman Comer should have videotaped this, don’t you agree?''

Pam Bondi fires back at Robert Garcia

Pam Bondi pushed back on Robert Garcia’s claims, calling them "not true" and defending Todd Blanche’s role in the Epstein files review.

In a post on X, she said she had actually praised Blanche’s leadership, describing his handling of the process as a "Herculean task" and calling his ethics beyond reproach.

She wrote, ''I praised Acting AG Blanche’s management of this Herculean task. I said his ethics are beyond reproach and that he is an incredible Attorney General.''

Pressure mounts over handling of Epstein files

Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee as scrutiny continues over the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein documents, including heavy redactions and phased public releases following legislative pressure.

In her remarks, Bondi said the department had complied with requirements under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and that, to the best of her knowledge, all required material had been produced.

Bondi acknowledged that there had been “redaction errors” but maintained that the department had remained committed to transparency and accountability throughout the process.