Heated Exchanges at House Hearing as AG Bondi Defends DOJ Handling of Epstein Files

Lawmakers accuse DOJ of cover-up spanning multiple administrations, while Epstein survivors criticize partial file release.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense questioning from lawmakers during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that focused heavily on the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files. Heated exchanges and personal insults flew around the hearing, with Rep. Thomas Massie accusing the DOJ of participating in a cover-up spanning multiple administrations. Epstein survivors who attended the hearing said the partial release of files by the DOJ, with improper redactions, does not provide justice. The hearing also touched on other issues like ICE operations and allegations of the department being weaponized for political purposes.

Why it matters

The hearing highlighted the ongoing controversy and scrutiny surrounding the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case, which has spanned multiple administrations. The accusations of a cover-up and calls for more transparency and accountability from Epstein survivors underscore the high stakes and public interest in this case.

The details

During the heated hearing, Rep. Thomas Massie accused the DOJ of participating in a cover-up of the Epstein case that has lasted for decades and across multiple administrations. Bondi argued that the release of millions of Epstein files demonstrates transparency, but Epstein survivors who attended the hearing said the partial release, with improper redactions, does not provide justice. The hearing also featured tense exchanges on other topics like ICE operations and allegations of the department being weaponized for political purposes.

  • The House Judiciary Committee hearing took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who was defending the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case.

Thomas Massie

A Republican Congressman from Kentucky who accused the DOJ of participating in a cover-up of the Epstein case.

Liz Stein

A Jeffrey Epstein survivor who attended the hearing and criticized the partial release of Epstein files by the DOJ.

Eric Swalwell

A Democratic Congressman from California who told Bondi that his family was receiving death threats.

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What they’re saying

“This is bigger than Watergate. This goes over four administrations. You don't have to go back to Biden. Let's go back to Obama. Let's go back to George Bush. This cover up spans decades. And you are responsible for this portion of it.”

— Thomas Massie, Congressman

“A partial release of these files by the DOJ, riddled with improper redactions, that expose the vulnerable and shield the powerful from accountability is not justice.”

— Liz Stein, Jeffrey Epstein Survivor

“What does the Dow have to do with anything? That's what they just asked. Are you kidding?”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General

“None of you should be threatened, ever. None of your children should be threatened. None of your families should be threatened. And I will work with you.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General

What’s next

Lawmakers pressed Bondi on whether additional prosecutions for sex crimes would result from the latest Epstein file releases. Bondi said the work is ongoing.

The takeaway

The heated hearing underscores the ongoing controversy and public scrutiny surrounding the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case, with accusations of a cover-up spanning multiple administrations and calls for more transparency and accountability from Epstein survivors. The hearing also highlighted broader tensions between the DOJ and Congress on various issues.