Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein stand as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is questioned during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Justice Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) confronted Attorney General Pam Bondi during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday over the Justice Department's handling of the investigation files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Jayapal pointed out that the DOJ redacted a number of the "Johns" who abused the young girls while protecting their names. She specifically mentioned a "torture video" that Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem requested, but noted his email was protected.
Jayapal announced the Epstein survivors sitting in the hearing room and asked them to stand. She then asked them to raise their hands if they've not yet met with the DOJ.
"And if you are willing, please raise your hands if you have still not been able to meet with this Department of Justice," Jayapal asked.
Each of them raised their hand.
"Attorney General Bondi, you apologized to the survivors in your opening statement for what they went through at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. Will you turn to them now and apologize for what your Department of Justice has put them through with the absolutely unacceptable release of the Epstein files and their information?" asked Jayapal.
Bondi refused.
Instead, she went to attack former Attorney General Merrick Garland.
"I will reclaim my time because I asked a specific question that I would like you to answer," the congresswoman said. "Will you turn to the survivors? This is not about anybody who came before you. It's about you taking responsibility for your Department of Justice and the harm that it has done to the survivors who are standing right behind you and are waiting for you to turn to them and apologize for what your Department of Justice —"
Committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) cut her off, saying that Bondi could answer if she wanted to.
Bondi said that Jayapal wouldn't let her respond "because she won't like my answer."
She again brought up Merrick Garland, saying, "Why didn't you ask this twice?"
"I'm not going to get in the gutter with this woman!" Bondi later exclaimed.