Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is before House lawmakers investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse case. Bundy will answer questions Friday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Attorney General Pam Bundy Testifying before House of Representatives inquiry Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse caseThe long-awaited appearance brings new scrutiny to the Trump administration’s botched release of Epstein’s case files.
Bondi is provocative In previous public testimony, she confronted lawmakers at the time about the Epstein investigation. It was unclear whether she would do the same on Friday now that she is no longer in charge of the Justice Department. The meeting will be held behind closed doors.
The transcript of Bondi’s interview will give lawmakers an opportunity to unearth information about the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein dossier and other related matters, including the prison sentence of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and confidant.
“I think she can definitely fill in a lot of the missing pieces if she wants to,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., who sits on the House Oversight Committee. “The question now is whether she is willing to be transparent.”
Epstein Suicide in New York City jail cell in 2019, while awaiting trial. Maxwell, british socialiteShe was convicted in 2021 of luring a teenage girl to be sexually abused by Epstein, but she maintains her innocence and believes she should never have been prosecuted. Justice Department transfers Maxwell from federal prison in Florida prisoner of war camp Last August in Texas.
Lawmakers are trying to figure out what decisions prosecutors made in investigating Epstein’s associates, how the Justice Department handled congressional authorization to release Epstein’s case files and whether President Donald Trump was involved in the process.
Bundy revealed this week that she is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer, keeping her in the Republican presidential orbit even after being nominated. fired Early April.
Trump this week appointed Bondi to the White House artificial intelligence panel, and she was accompanied on Friday by Justice Department officials, including Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, who served as Bondi’s legal counsel.
Democrats called the arrangement a conflict of interest.
A Justice Department spokesman said the officials were intended to help lawmakers understand the Justice Department’s process for releasing case files.
Bundy at the heart of Epstein saga
Bondi has always been at the center political storm Epstein, initially raised expectations for the full release of the Epstein documents, but later dialed them back. The reversal prompted Congress to step in and pass a law requiring his release.
Bundy faced more backlash when the Justice Department delayed releasing the documents, then Contains personal information Several potential victims. She insisted at a congressional hearing that she was trying to comply with the law.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into Epstein that spans multiple presidential administrations.
The interview format has caused controversy
Bundy is subpoena on a bipartisan vote in March, but she tried to block the request by holding a closed-door meeting with lawmakers that month. The move only heightened animosity between Bundy and Democrats on the committee.
Bundy’s departure from the Justice Department also raises questions about enforcement of congressional subpoenas. After Democrats on the committee sought to press for a civil contempt resolution against Bundy, she agreed to participate in a taped interview rather than testify under oath.
Democrats on the oversight panel criticized the arrangement, saying it allowed Bundy to refuse to answer questions. They also urged the committee’s Republican chairman, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, to record the interview on video.
“The failure to capture and release the video of Ms. Bundy’s testimony would be a grave injustice to the American people and the survivors of Epstein’s crimes,” Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the committee’s top Democrat, wrote to Cuomo.
Cuomo said he allowed Bundy to participate in transcribing interviews, rather than testify, as an incentive to cooperate. He had previously issued a subpoena to him Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after they resisted the demands. Both of their testimonies were videotaped.
However, Cuomo said Bundy could face prosecution if she lied to Congress. He said the committee would also release transcripts of the interviews.
“Hopefully this is good enough,” he said.
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