Republican Lawmaker Slams Attorney General's Conduct in Epstein Files Hearing
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has launched sharp criticism against Attorney General Pam Bondi and her management of the Jeffrey Epstein case documents. Massie voiced his concerns during a recent appearance on ABC's "This Week," questioning Bondi's confidence and accountability within the Department of Justice.
Massie Questions Bondi's Confidence and Accountability
"I don't think Pam Bondi has confidence in Pam Bondi," Massie stated emphatically. "She wasn't confident enough to engage in anything but name calling in a hearing. And so, no, I don't have confidence in her. She hasn't got any sort of accountability there at the DOJ." This comment came in response to Bondi's behavior during a House Judiciary Committee hearing held on Wednesday, where she was questioned about the handling of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Bondi's Controversial Behavior During the Hearing
During the hearing, Bondi's responses were marked by shouting, sarcasm, and personal attacks. In one notable exchange, she labeled Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, as a "washed-up, loser lawyer" after he urged her not to filibuster. However, Massie highlighted what he described as Bondi's "cold" avoidance of Epstein's victims, who were present at the proceedings.
When Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, asked the victims to stand and raise their hands if they had attempted to meet with Justice Department officials, all of them did so. Jayapal then requested an apology from Bondi, but Bondi refused, retorting, "I'm not going to get in the gutter for her theatrics." Massie condemned this refusal, stating, "I think that was kind of cold on her part. I think she was afraid to. And look, these survivors would love to have a meeting. It's not about Bill Clinton and it's not about Donald Trump, this Epstein Files Transparency Act was about getting these survivors justice. We've got some degree of transparency, but it's called the Department of Justice, not the department of transparency."
Redactions and Accountability Issues
Bondi also faced scrutiny for the Justice Department's redaction of several high-profile names from the Epstein files, including Leslie Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria's Secret, who was listed as a "child sex trafficking co-conspirator." Massie pressed Bondi on who was responsible for these redactions. Bondi claimed that Wexner's name was reinstated within 40 minutes of the files' release, but Massie argued it was only because he had caught her "red-handed."
In response, Bondi accused Massie of having "Trump derangement syndrome" and called him a "failed politician." Massie countered, "When I asked her specifically who redacted Leslie Wexner's name from the one document that mattered, she couldn't give me an answer, she wouldn't give me an answer. But ultimately, it's her who is responsible for the document production according to our law, the attorney general. It's not [Deputy Attorney General] Todd Blanche. It's not the people below them. You can assign tasks to people, but you can't assign your responsibility."
This exchange underscores ongoing tensions over transparency and accountability in the handling of sensitive legal matters, with Massie emphasizing the need for justice for Epstein's victims over political theatrics.
