US Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the justice department's handling of the Epstein files and faced a barrage of angry questions on other issues during a fiery congressional hearing on Wednesday.
Her testimony before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee descended at times into a shouting match, with Bondi at one point calling a Democrat a washed up loser and, after another heated exchange, one lawmaker even stormed out.
Here are some key exchanges from the four-hour hearing:
1. Epstein victims watch as Bondi defends redactions
The hearing followed the release by the justice department earlier this year of millions more files from its investigations into the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Several of Epstein's victims were at the hearing, and lawmakers as well as Bondi frequently referenced them. In her opening statement, Bondi called Epstein a monster and apologized to the victims for the abuse they endured.
However, lawmakers directed complaints at Bondi about how the justice department handled its file releases. Several criticized the failure to redact the names of victims as required by law, with Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal highlighting the release of nude images of survivors who had been protected for decades.
2. Republicans join in over Epstein complaints
The hearing turned tense over names in the Epstein files that had been redacted as well. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers accused the justice department of improperly removing names of individuals not protected under the law.
Lawmakers had access to unredacted versions of the files, prompting the justice department to unredact names in at least one document. Republican Thomas Massie pressed Bondi on accountability for the failures in redaction processes.
3. Lawmaker asks about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
During the hearing, California Democrat Ted Lieu raised scrutiny over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein, pushing for his testimony regarding allegations made by Virginia Giuffre. A picture from the Epstein files showing Mountbatten-Windsor prompted Lieu to question why it was not used in any prosecution.
4. Democrats push for Minneapolis investigation
While the Epstein files took center stage, Bondi faced pressure over federal immigration agents' actions in Minneapolis, which resulted in two fatalities. Lawmakers criticized the lack of investigation into what some termed executions of individuals by federal agents.
As the hearing progressed, Bondi defended her department's responses in Minnesota while receiving backing from other Republicans within the committee.
