Democrats Walk Out of Bondi Meeting on Epstein Files

Justice Department leaders offered to meet with lawmakers amid sustained criticism over their handling of files on the sex offender.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:09am

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Democratic lawmakers stormed out of a closed-door briefing with Justice Department leaders about the Jeffrey Epstein files, saying they didn't trust Attorney General Pam Bondi to fully answer their questions unless forced to do so under oath. Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, offered to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill amid sustained bipartisan criticism over their handling of files from the FBI's investigation into the convicted sex offender. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee left about an hour into the Wednesday evening briefing without asking questions, saying they would press the panel's Republicans to enforce a subpoena they issued a day earlier requiring Bondi to give a sworn deposition.

Why it matters

The Epstein case has sparked intense political scrutiny, with lawmakers from both parties demanding more transparency from the Justice Department about its handling of the investigation into the convicted sex offender. The Democrats' walkout highlights the partisan tensions surrounding the issue and their lack of trust in the current DOJ leadership to provide full and honest answers.

The details

The closed-door briefing was intended to allow Justice Department leaders to provide information to lawmakers about the Epstein files. However, the Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee left the meeting after about an hour, saying they did not believe Bondi would be forthcoming with answers unless she was forced to testify under oath.

  • The briefing took place on Wednesday evening.

The players

Pam Bondi

The current Attorney General of the United States.

Todd Blanche

The Deputy Attorney General, who accompanied Bondi to the briefing.

House Oversight Committee

The congressional committee that had issued a subpoena requiring Bondi to give a sworn deposition about the Epstein files.

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What’s next

The House Oversight Committee is expected to continue pressing for Bondi to testify under oath about the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files.

The takeaway

The walkout by Democratic lawmakers highlights the deep partisan divisions and lack of trust surrounding the Epstein case, with the Justice Department's leadership facing sustained criticism over its transparency and accountability in the matter.