Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged her limited authority over the release of Epstein case files during a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee. She directed responsibility for the documents to two other officials, Emil Bove and Ed Martin.
Bondi testified that she lacked the power to unilaterally disclose the files, which have been the subject of public and political demand. The admission highlighted a division of authority within the Department of Justice.
She specifically pointed to Bove, the principal associate deputy attorney general, and Martin, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, as the individuals holding control over the sensitive records. Bondi stated that the files remain under their purview.
The testimony came amid growing pressure from lawmakers and the public to release information related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network. Bondi’s remarks suggested that the DOJ’s internal structure is limiting transparency.
Critics have questioned why the files have not been made public, with some accusing the department of obstruction. Bondi’s account placed the bottleneck squarely on Blanche and Patel’s offices.
The closed-door session allowed Bondi to speak more freely than she could in a public hearing. Her candid acknowledgment of powerlessness was seen as a rare moment of transparency.
The Oversight Committee is now expected to call on Bove and Patel to explain their handling of the Epstein documents. The case continues to fuel debate over government accountability and secrecy.
