Washington, D.C. — A contentious House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on February 11, 2026, involving Attorney General Pam Bondi and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case devolved into a heated exchange, with Bondi refusing to answer numerous questions posed by lawmakers. The hearing, which focused on the Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein and his associates, highlighted growing frustration among Democrats regarding the pace and scope of the inquiry.
During the hearing, Bondi declined to provide answers to fifteen separate questions from the committee, according to a press release issued by House Democrats. These included questions about the number of Epstein’s co-conspirators who have been indicted by the DOJ – a number that remains at zero – and whether she would establish a joint task force to facilitate access to evidence for state and local prosecutors. The development underscores the increasing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case and its aftermath.
Lawmakers also pressed Bondi on whether an email involving Steve Tisch, found within the Epstein files, warranted further investigation. She also refused to address questions regarding the protection of sexual assault victims’ identities and why 500 of her attorneys failed to redact the names, identities, and sensitive photographs of survivors from released documents.
Further complicating matters, Bondi declined to comment on whether she had investigated Prince Andrew, who appears in disturbing photos contained within the Epstein files, or whether she possessed any knowledge of President Trump’s potential involvement with underage girls at parties. She also refused to commit to providing the committee with a list of domestic terrorism groups, despite being asked.
The Attorney General also did not answer questions regarding when the DOJ decided not to investigate Lex Wexner as a co-conspirator, or whether the DOJ owed anything to Epstein’s victims, even as Donald Trump pursues a $10 billion lawsuit against the federal government.
The hearing comes as the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files has become a central theme of debate in Congress, with Democrats expressing concerns about a potential cover-up. The contentious exchange and Bondi’s refusal to answer key questions are likely to fuel further calls for transparency and accountability in the investigation.
