Pam Bondi Clashes with House Judiciary Committee

The former Florida Attorney General refused to answer questions about the Epstein case during a heated exchange.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee and engaged in a combative exchange, refusing to answer questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case. Bondi repeatedly interrupted, filibustered, and expressed contempt for the committee, leading to a chaotic scene as representatives tried to get her to directly address their inquiries.

Why it matters

Bondi's defiant behavior during the hearing raised concerns about accountability and transparency, as the public seeks answers about the Epstein case and the government's handling of it. Her unwillingness to cooperate with congressional oversight also highlighted ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches.

The details

When Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler asked Bondi how many of Epstein's co-conspirators had been indicted, Bondi refused to give a direct answer, saying she would "answer the question the way I want to." As Nadler pressed her, Bondi became increasingly combative, at one point accusing the committee of trying to "get into the gutter" with her. The exchange devolved into a shouting match, with Rep. Jamie Raskin appealing to the committee chairman to restore Nadler's time that had been consumed by Bondi's filibustering.

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

The players

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General of Florida who appeared before the House Judiciary Committee.

Jerrold Nadler

A Democratic representative on the House Judiciary Committee who questioned Bondi about the Epstein case.

Jim Jordan

The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who presided over the hearing.

Jamie Raskin

A Democratic representative on the House Judiciary Committee who intervened during the exchange between Bondi and Nadler.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to answer the question the way I want to answer the question.”

— Pam Bondi, Former Florida Attorney General (Esquire)

“When you ask a question, you may not like the answer, but she gets to answer.”

— Jim Jordan, Chairman, House Judiciary Committee (Esquire)

“You don't tell me anything!”

— Pam Bondi, Former Florida Attorney General (Esquire)

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to continue its investigation into the Epstein case and the Department of Justice's handling of it, with further hearings and subpoenas likely in the coming months.

The takeaway

Bondi's combative performance during the hearing underscores the ongoing challenges of achieving accountability and transparency around high-profile cases involving powerful individuals. The exchange highlights the partisan divisions and political tensions that often hamper congressional oversight efforts.