House Oversight Committee Interview of Pamela Bondi
Snapshot
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a transcribed interview of former United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi on May 29, 2026, as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, the release of federal investigative records, the implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and Department of Justice actions taken during the Trump administration.
During the interview, Bondi defended the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files, stated that approximately three million pages of records were released to the public, and testified that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche supervised nearly every aspect of the review, redaction, and disclosure process. She also discussed the search for additional FBI records, the investigation into whether a client list existed, the release of the Maxwell interview transcript, and concerns about protecting victims’ identities.
Document Information
Document Type: Congressional Interview Transcript
Witness: Pamela Jo Bondi
Date: May 29, 2026
Committee: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Location: Rayburn House Office Building
Length: 111 Pages
Primary Topics:
- Epstein Files Transparency Act
- Department of Justice document releases
- Federal Bureau of Investigation records
- Ghislaine Maxwell interview
- Victim protections
- Redaction procedures
- Alleged Epstein client list
- Congressional oversight
Why This Transcript Matters
This interview provides the most detailed public explanation to date from a former Attorney General regarding how the Department of Justice handled the release of Epstein related records.
The testimony addresses questions that have circulated for years regarding whether additional records existed, whether a client list was ever found, how millions of documents were reviewed, why some records remained redacted, and what investigative steps were taken after passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The interview also places significant responsibility for the operational management of the release process on former Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Bondi repeatedly identified as the official supervising the review and disclosure effort.
Bondi’s Opening Statement
Bondi stated that the Department of Justice released nearly three million pages of material related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including videos, images, and investigative records. She described the process as an unprecedented transparency effort involving multiple administrations and stated that the Department attempted to locate and review all potentially responsive records.
According to Bondi, only documents that were duplicative, privileged, nonresponsive, or legally protected were withheld from public release. She also stated that Congress received access to additional unredacted materials in a secure reading room.
Search for Additional FBI Records
One of the most significant sections of the testimony concerns Bondi’s claim that the FBI initially provided only a small fraction of the records ultimately released.
Bondi testified that shortly after taking office she requested all Epstein related records from the FBI and initially received approximately 200 pages. She stated that Department officials believed many additional records existed and later discovered that substantial quantities of documents remained within FBI files in New York.
Bondi sent a formal letter to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding production of all remaining records and testified that significantly larger collections were eventually delivered to the Department of Justice.
The Question of an Epstein Client List
The interview contains one of the clearest discussions regarding the long debated issue of whether Jeffrey Epstein maintained a client list.
Bondi testified that she directed Department personnel to determine whether such a list existed and acknowledged that she publicly referred to Epstein related files being on her desk shortly after taking office. She clarified that her comments referred to investigative files generally and not to a verified client list.
When asked directly whether the Department of Justice ever possessed a client list, Bondi testified that she had no knowledge of any such list existing within Department files.
Ghislaine Maxwell Interview
Bondi confirmed that Todd Blanche conducted a two day interview of Ghislaine Maxwell during July 2025.
According to Bondi, the interview was conducted because Maxwell remained alive, incarcerated, and potentially possessed information regarding additional crimes, coconspirators, or criminal participants connected to Epstein’s network.
Bondi testified that she knew the interview was taking place but was not directly involved in conducting it. She further stated that she was not aware of any concerns regarding the interview itself and that the FBI was expected to review any information obtained from Maxwell.
Position on Ghislaine Maxwell
One of the most widely quoted moments of the interview occurred when Bondi was asked whether Maxwell deserved a pardon.
Bondi responded that Maxwell should die in prison and described her as equally responsible for the exploitation and abuse of victims. She stated that Maxwell actively recruited young women and participated directly in the criminal conduct associated with Epstein’s operation.
Epstein Files Transparency Act
A major focus of the interview concerned implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Bondi testified that the Department sought court orders to unseal records, collected documents from multiple federal jurisdictions, and assembled a review team of more than 500 attorneys. These attorneys reviewed millions of pages under severe time constraints while attempting to protect victims’ identities.
According to Bondi, the review process resulted in approximately three million pages being released while another large volume of records was deemed duplicative, privileged, unrelated, or otherwise exempt from disclosure.
Redaction Errors
Bondi acknowledged that redaction mistakes occurred during the review process.
She testified that some victims’ names were inadvertently disclosed and described such disclosures as unacceptable failures. According to Bondi, the Department attempted to correct mistakes immediately when they were discovered. She also stated that Department officials maintained an evolving list of victim names that required protection throughout the review process.
Potential Ongoing Investigations
Bondi testified that the Department publicly requested that U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton examine whether additional crimes connected to Epstein’s network warranted investigation.
However, she stated that she could not recall the status of any such investigations at the time she left office and repeatedly deferred detailed investigative questions to the FBI, Director Kash Patel, and Todd Blanche.
Evidence Appearances
House Oversight Committee Interview
Witness: Pamela Bondi
Date: May 29, 2026
Topics:
- Epstein Files Transparency Act
- Department of Justice review process
- FBI document production
- Ghislaine Maxwell interview
- Victim protection procedures
- Redaction protocols
- Congressional subpoenas
- Potential coconspirators
Key Takeaways
- Pamela Bondi testified that approximately three million pages of Epstein related records were released.
- Bondi stated that the FBI initially produced only a small fraction of the records eventually reviewed.
- She testified that additional records were discovered after intervention by FBI Director Kash Patel.
- Bondi directed Department personnel to determine whether an Epstein client list existed.
- She testified that she is unaware of any verified client list ever being found.
- Todd Blanche supervised the review and release process.
- More than 500 attorneys participated in reviewing records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- Bondi confirmed that Ghislaine Maxwell was interviewed by the Department of Justice in 2025.
- Bondi stated that Maxwell should die in prison.
- Redaction errors occurred during the release process and some victims’ names were inadvertently disclosed.
Related Persons
Related Organizations
- Department of Justice
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Evidence Files
Sources
Pamela Bondi House Oversight Transcript