Lawmakers Boycott 'Outrageous Fake' Epstein Briefing by AG Pam Bondi
Democrats on House oversight committee walk out after AG refuses to testify under oath about failures in Epstein case investigations
Democrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California Congressman Robert Garcia called "an outrageous fake hearing" after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath.
The committee had voted to subpoena Bondi earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats to demand that the attorney general answer questions about the Justice Department's failure to properly release files from the federal investigations into Epstein.
The move by Democrats to walk out of the briefing highlights the growing frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability in the Epstein case. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, sparking outrage and demands for answers about the circumstances surrounding his death and the government's handling of the investigations.
In a statement, Congressman Garcia said that the briefing by Bondi was "an insult to the victims and their families" and that the Democrats refused to "participate in this charade." He added that the committee would continue to pursue the subpoena and other avenues to get the information they need.
The Epstein case has been a source of controversy and political tensions, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of mishandling the investigation and failing to hold Epstein's powerful associates accountable. Bondi, who was a Trump advisor and a vocal supporter of the former president, has faced scrutiny over her role in the case.
The walkout by Democrats is likely to further escalate the political tensions and increase the pressure on the Justice Department to provide more transparency and accountability in the Epstein case. The committee's ongoing investigation and the subpoena of Bondi will continue to be a focus of intense political and media scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.
Source: The Guardian
