AG Bondi clashes with lawmakers in combative House hearing on Epstein case

O'Reilly says Bondi 'threw hand grenades' to 'blow the whole thing up' amid Democratic efforts to link Trump to Epstein

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Political commentator Bill O'Reilly said Attorney General Pam Bondi decided to 'throw some hand grenades' in combative testimony before a House panel examining the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Bondi sparred with lawmakers, including heated exchanges with Rep. Thomas Massie and the committee's ranking member, Jamie Raskin. At least 11 of Epstein's victims were in the audience and were asked to raise their hands if they had yet to meet with the DOJ during Trump's term, to which each of them did.

Why it matters

The hearing highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Epstein case, with Democrats seeking to link the Trump administration to potential wrongdoing, while Republicans defend the Justice Department's actions. The confrontational nature of the hearing also raises questions about the DOJ's transparency and responsiveness to Epstein's victims.

The details

Bondi sparred with lawmakers, calling Rep. Massie a 'failed politician' with 'Trump derangement syndrome' and telling Rep. Raskin he was a 'washed-up loser lawyer.' The hearing also featured an exchange where Epstein's victims were asked to raise their hands if they had not met with the DOJ during Trump's term, to which each of them did.

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

The players

Pam Bondi

The current Attorney General of the United States.

Bill O'Reilly

A political commentator who appeared on NewsNation's 'CUOMO' program to discuss the hearing.

Thomas Massie

A Republican Congressman and co-sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Jamie Raskin

The ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, a former lawyer and constitutional law professor.

Pramila Jayapal

A Democratic Congresswoman who asked Epstein's victims to raise their hands if they had not met with the DOJ during Trump's term.

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What they’re saying

“It's obvious the Democratic Party wants to link Donald Trump to some kind of crime involving Epstein. They're never going to stop doing that and Bondi knows it, so what she decided to do was go in and throw some hand grenades and just blow the whole thing up and bring attention the charade that it really is.”

— Bill O'Reilly, Political commentator (NewsNation)

“My question would have been to them, 'well you have the court to sue civilly. There are thousands of lawyers who would take your case free. Why don't you pursue that end and then in depositions, if there's something that is shocking or true or you can prove it, then you take it to the Justice Department.'”

— Bill O'Reilly, Political commentator (NewsNation)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Epstein case, with Democrats seeking to link the Trump administration to potential wrongdoing and Republicans defending the Justice Department's actions. The confrontational nature of the hearing also raises questions about the DOJ's transparency and responsiveness to Epstein's victims.