U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks on the day U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the committee's hearing on oversight of the Justice Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
Attorney General Pam Bondi'a House Judiciary Committee hearing erupted in chaos on Wednesday after Department of Justice head cited the stock market in an evasive answer about the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Speaking to lawmakers who questioned her about the department's rollout of the Epstein files, Bondi wanted to talk about how the Dow Jones Industrial Average spiked to 50,000 on Tuesday. Ironically, as national security analyst Marcy Wheeler pointed out, the comment came as the Dow was falling. It was down over 200 points as of the Wednesday open.
Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) was apparently laughing at Bondi's dodge of the question.
"I don't know why you're laughing, I hear you're a great stock trader," Bondi snapped.
She said that the hearing about the Epstein files should instead be about how great the economy is doing under President Donald Trump. Neither the Judiciary Committee nor the Justice Department oversees anything involving the economy.
Democrats could be heard shouting, "What does the stock market have to do with it?"
"What does the Dow have to do with anything? That's what they just asked. Are you kidding?" Bondi demanded.
The room erupted into chaos.
Jordan asked that the committee be in order.