Republicans en masse skip Pam Bondi's Epstein hearing
Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee interview as part of the committee's ongoing probe into the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 29, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) was the sole Republican lawmaker present during a closed-door interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
According to MS NOW, the atmosphere was tense, with Bondi appearing frustrated during questioning.
Rep. Melanie (D-NM) Stansbury criticized her Republican colleagues' absence, noting that, despite their stated commitment to justice for survivors, none traveled to attend the important interview.
The questioning focused on redactions, withholding, and Ghislaine Maxwell's prison sentence.
Legal experts suggest Republicans may have strategically scheduled the interview during congressional recess to limit tough questioning from their own party members, potentially to avoid pursuing additional subpoenas for current Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.