Pam Bondi's Combative Testimony Fuels Justice Department Staffing Crisis

Attorney General's Partisan Rhetoric and Loyalty to Trump Undermine Department's Mission

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In recent testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's combative and partisan demeanor has been criticized for setting a low standard for the Justice Department and contributing to a staffing crisis, as talented attorneys leave the department rather than engage in political "wet work" on behalf of President Trump.

Why it matters

Bondi's actions and rhetoric, which seem aimed at pleasing the president rather than upholding the rule of law, have raised concerns about the Justice Department's ability to function independently and effectively. This crisis of leadership threatens to undermine public trust in the department and its ability to carry out its core mission.

The details

During the hearing, Bondi responded to questions from Democratic members with angry rhetoric, invective, and combative name-calling, at times reading scripted "sick burns" from a binder. She provoked laughter when she suggested Democrats should focus on the booming stock market rather than the department's failures, such as its mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Bondi also refused to address Epstein's victims present in the hearing room, declaring, "I'm not going to get in the gutter for her theatrics."

  • Bondi's combative testimony took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Pam Bondi

The current U.S. Attorney General, known for her staunch defense of the Trump administration and her combative approach to congressional oversight.

Jamie Raskin

The ranking Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee, a magna cum laude Harvard law graduate and professor of constitutional law.

Pramila Jayapal

A Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee who pressed Bondi on the Justice Department's failure to properly redact information from the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, whose agenda and political interests Bondi has been accused of prioritizing over the Justice Department's core mission.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier and convicted sex offender, whose case has been a source of controversy and criticism for the Justice Department under Bondi's leadership.

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What they’re saying

“You don't tell me anything, you washed-up loser lawyer. You're not even a lawyer.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (House Judiciary Committee hearing)

“The Dow is over 50,000 right now, the S&P at almost 7,000, and the NASDAQ smashing records, Americans' 401(k)s and retirement savings are booming. That's what we should be talking about.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (House Judiciary Committee hearing)

“I'm not going to get in the gutter for her theatrics.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (House Judiciary Committee hearing)

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to continue its oversight of the Justice Department and the Attorney General's actions in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Bondi's combative and partisan approach to her role as Attorney General has undermined public trust in the Justice Department and contributed to a staffing crisis, as talented attorneys leave the department rather than engage in political "wet work" on behalf of the president. This crisis of leadership threatens to undermine the department's ability to uphold the rule of law and carry out its core mission.