Vermont Rep Becca Balint walks out of Epstein hearing after Pam Bondi hurls antisemitism allegations

WASHINGTON, DC: A House Judiciary Committee hearing meant to grill Attorney General Pam Bondi over Jeffrey Epstein and immigration policy descended into chaos, as Rep Becca Balint abruptly walked out over allegations of antisemitism.

Lawmakers convened the session to press Bondi on several issues, including her handling of matters related to the late convicted offender and the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategies.

House hearing erupts over Epstein, Trump ties

Balint, a progressive Democrat from Vermont, used her time to question Bondi about whether President Donald Trump knew about billionaire financier Howard Lutnick’s past connections to Epstein when Lutnick was tapped as commerce secretary.

Recently released files from last month revealed Lutnick had visited Epstein’s private island and shared meals with him years after claiming he had severed ties and after Epstein had already pleaded guilty to various crimes.

Bondi responded by challenging Balint's oversight record regarding Epstein during previous administrations. “I was curious if you, Congresswoman, asked Bill Clinton that. Didn’t see one tweet, not one, I didn’t see one tweet when Joe Biden was in office about Bill Clinton. Didn’t ask Merrick Garland anything about Epstein, not once, when he was,” Bondi said.

Balint responded, “I’m going to conclude that the president, in fact, did know about his ties.”

Pam Bondi antisemitism clash sparks Becca Balint walkout

The exchange grew heated when Bondi raised Balint’s voting record and made allegations of antisemitism.

“And also, I want the record to reflect that, you know, with this anti-Semitic culture right now, she voted against a resolution condemning ‘from the river to the sea,’” Bondi said, appearing to reference Balint’s April 2024 vote opposing a House resolution that condemned the frequently used pro-Palestinian slogan.

At the time of that vote, Balint had said the resolution was “yet another way to sow division and demonize Palestinians.” Bondi’s comments appeared to catch Balint off guard. She immediately fired back. 

“Oh, do you want to go there, Attorney General? Do you want to go there? Are you serious? Talking about antisemitism to a woman who lost her grandfather in the Holocaust? Really? Really?” Balint said before standing up and walking out of the chamber.

The hearing descended into chaos as members began speaking over one another. Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) attempted to restore order. “The committee will be in order," he said.

Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) remarked, “Talk to Jared Wise about anti-Semitism." He was referring to a January 6 rioter who is now a senior Justice Department adviser. 

Becca Balint cites Holocaust history in Pam Bondi clash

Balint has previously spoken publicly about her family’s Holocaust history, including during her 2022 campaign for Vermont’s sole seat in the House of Representatives. She has described her family background as “Jew-ish” and often referenced her grandfather’s story during campaign appearances.

“My grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust,” Balint said in a campaign video at the time. “My whole life, I’ve known that beating the forces set on dividing us takes showing up every chance you get.”

Her grandfather, Leopold Balint, was killed by Nazis during a forced march from the Mauthausen Concentration Camp in 1945 after he stopped to help another prisoner, according to accounts she has shared.

Following the hearing, Balint continued to criticize Bondi on social media.

“If AG Bondi claims to care about Epstein survivors, why did she reveal their identities but redact the names of the rich p*dophiles and s*x abusers who hurt them?” Balint wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. “She must take accountability for this cover-up and finally deliver the justice these victims deserve.”

The confrontation came as Democrats grilled Bondi over the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case. Raskin accused the attorney general of “siding with the perpetrators” and “ignoring the victims.”