Since taking office as Attorney General in early February, Pam Bondi has frequently mentioned the Justice Department's investigation into the Epstein case. She accused the previous administration of concealing relevant information and promised to release everything, echoing President Donald Trump's campaign pledge.
The MAGA (Make America Great Again) base, comprised of Trump's most ardent supporters, initially praised Bondi's efforts. However, their enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment when the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released about 100 pages of "Phase 1" documents that month, much of which duplicated information declassified in 2024.
During a February Fox News interview, Bondi was asked if the Justice Department would release Epstein's "client list." She replied that the "documents are on my desk for review." However, on 7/7, the Justice Department and the FBI denied the existence of such a list, declared the case closed, and refused to disclose further information.
This development immediately sparked outrage among MAGA supporters. Several influential right-wing figures and Trump allies accused Bondi of "deceiving the American people." They called on the president to dismiss or even impeach her.
"How many more times will this woman be forgiven for messing things up before being fired?", right-wing activist Laura Loomer wrote on X. "She is an embarrassment and has done nothing to help President Trump."
For Trump supporters, Bondi's handling of the Epstein case epitomizes her perceived inconsistency.
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US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate on 25/6. Photo: AFP |
US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate on 25/6. Photo: AFP
Jeffrey Epstein (born 1953) was an American financier and convicted sex offender. In July 2019, he was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors between 2002 and 2005 at his residences in New York and Florida. He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
Epstein denied the charges and was held at the Manhattan Correctional Center. In August 2019, he died by suicide in his cell. He had previously faced similar accusations in 2007 but entered a plea deal and served 13 months in custody on lesser charges.
The Epstein case quickly became a breeding ground for internet sleuths, conspiracy theories, and partisan politics. Attempts were made to link Epstein's crimes to politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties, fueled by the perceived leniency of his 2007 sentence.
Bondi's February allusion to a "client list" on her desk further fueled these theories, despite the lack of evidence that such a list exists. "Everything will be released. The American people deserve to know," she reiterated in March.
Speculation intensified in early June when former White House advisor Elon Musk posted on X that Trump's name was "on the Epstein list" and that this was why it hadn't been released. Musk later deleted the post, expressing regret that some of his posts had "gone too far." However, Democrats seized on the opportunity to attack the Republican administration.
On 7/7, Bondi clarified that her Fox News comments referred to "the Epstein files in general, not a 'client list'." "Stop protecting your boss and former client," Democratic representatives wrote in a six-page letter to Bondi that same day.
"She should have simply said, 'I haven't reviewed the documents yet and will update you later'," conservative commentator Liz Wheeler said. "She is sowing distrust within Trump's own support base. Not only is her reputation at stake, but so is Trump's legacy."
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson called for Bondi's dismissal for "repeatedly lying to the American public."
Far-right podcaster Jack Posobiec fiercely criticized Bondi for declaring the Epstein case closed. "I'm angry, disappointed, and feel used after going to the White House and receiving a file of previously released information presented as 'new Epstein documents'," Posobiec said. "They said more information would be forthcoming. But there was nothing."
Bondi has also made exaggerated claims about immigration and drug policy, which legal experts suggest could damage the Justice Department's credibility in court and with the public.
"If you develop a habit of saying whatever is politically expedient at the moment, sooner or later it will backfire," warned Peter Keisler, acting attorney general under President George W. Bush. "Earning the trust of the courts and other institutions carries enormous value, and she's squandering it."
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US Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a press conference with President Donald Trump at the White House on 27/6. Photo: AFP |
US Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a press conference with President Donald Trump at the White House on 27/6. Photo: AFP
Bondi's supporters argue that her frequent television appearances have made the traditionally reserved Justice Department more accessible to Trump's base. They also contend that her hyperbolic style mirrors Trump's own approach to various issues.
The White House defended Bondi's handling of the Epstein case. "The Justice Department is committed to conducting a thorough investigation," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "They did that and released the results. That's transparency."
In a social media post on 12/7, Trump urged his supporters to stop attacking Bondi.
"I don't like what's happening. We have a perfect administration, the envy of the world, but selfish people are trying to damage it, all because of a man named Jeffrey Epstein. The Epstein issue has been going on for years. Don't waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein, someone nobody cares about," he wrote. "Let Pam Bondi do her job. She's a great person."
Nhu Tam (According to WSJ, Daily Beast, AFP)
