Pam Bondi Clashes With Senate Democrats Over FBI Probe, Epstein Questions

Attorney General Pam Bondi faced a fiercely partisan Senate Judiciary Committee hearing marked by her refusal to answer many questions, citing ongoing litigation, and her aggressive defense of the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. Bondi repeatedly deflected Democratic inquiries about sensitive topics including the dropped investigation into border czar Tom Homan, the FBI's probe into Senator Adam Schiff, and the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, often turning attacks back on her questioners and accusing Democrats of political bias and inaction regarding Epstein. Republicans at the hearing accused Democrats and the Biden Administration of weaponizing the Justice Department, highlighting controversies such as the FBI's investigation into Trump allies and the disclosure of phone toll records of Republican senators around the January 6 Capitol attack. Bondi criticized the FBI's scrutiny of Republican senators as a betrayal of public trust, while Democrats charged her with politicizing the Justice Department to shield Trump and target his opponents. The hearing also included disputes over the National Guard deployment in cities like Chicago, with Bondi asserting that such actions were necessary for public safety despite Democratic objections. Throughout the hearing, Bondi positioned herself as a staunch defender of Trump and the department's actions, emphasizing political motivations behind the Democrats' investigations and questions.