Former Attorney General Pam Bondi refuted Democrats’ latest accusation that she blamed the administration’s mishandling of the Epstein Files on Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee Friday in a closed-door hearing with congressional lawmakers as part of the committee’s investigation into Epstein. Immediately after the hearing, Democratic California Rep. Robert Garcia claimed that Bondi pinned the blame on Blanche, which she later disputed in a social media post on X.
“She continues to push all of the investigation and the blame on Acting AG Todd Blanche,” Garcia said. “She said, and I quote, ‘Acting AG Blanche was managing the entire investigation.’” (RELATED: ‘You Don’t Tell Me Anything!’: Pam Bondi Gets Into Shouting Match With Democrat Reps)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 29: Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (C) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on May 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bondi will be asked questions on the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and release of related files to the public. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“And what you’re going to hear in that interview, and what she’s saying here in her words and remarks, is that it was Todd Blanche, the current Acting AG, that was leading the Epstein investigation. And quite frankly, all of the mistakes that we saw, the redactions, not protecting survivors, she continues to push that back onto the Acting AG Todd Blanche.”
Bondi quickly addressed the accusations levied by Garcia, outright denying his version of events. (RELATED: ‘It’s Infuriating’: Bondi Confirms All Epstein Files Are In, Details What Could Be Redacted)
“NOT TRUE,” Bondi replied. “I praised Acting AG Blanche’s management of this Herculean task. I said his ethics are beyond reproach and that he is an incredible Attorney General.”