The Epstein files and Pam Bondi's testimony released on Thursday could come back to haunt Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he approaches his Senate confirmation hearing process, a legal expert said.
During a live broadcast with CNN anchor Jake Tapper, CNN legal analyst Elie Honignoted that Bondi, who served as the former attorney general until she was fired by President Donald Trump in April, told lawmakers that Blanche was overseeing the release of the Epstein files and could come under further scrutiny because of her comments.
"It has to be a big problem for Todd Blanche, Jake, because there's nothing good in this whole mess of the Epstein files, legally or politically," Honig said.
"And if you look at today's transcript, Pam Bondi truly does Todd Blanche no favors," Honig explained. "And I don't think she's trying to hurt him."
He argued that Bondi was making an effort during the closed-door testimony with the House Oversight Committee to "praise Todd Blanche's skill and ethics andhis handling of this wholeprocess."
"But the bottom line isit's disastrous," Honig added. "Todd Blanche was in charge. Pam Bondimakes that clear: the processthat resulted in the release ofvictims' names, the processthat resulted in the improper redaction of wrongdoers' names, and a process that was chaotic, overdue, and satisfied no one. And there's noway for Blanche to get out ofthat. It's actually surprisingwhen you read the transcripthow little Bondi knew about whatwas going on. This seems like itwas a complete delegation, andyou can bet this will come up ina big way when Todd Blanche goesin front of the Senate for hisconfirmation hearings."