WASHINGTON, D.C. — The handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has reignited political controversy in the United States, placing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Trump administration under intense public and congressional scrutiny.

The Justice Department’s phased release of millions of pages of Epstein-related records has drawn bipartisan criticism, particularly over heavy redactions and delays in full disclosure. Lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether key names and investigative details were withheld from public view, fueling accusations of political interference and lack of transparency.

During a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing this week, Bondi faced hours of aggressive questioning over the department’s review process. Democratic members accused the Justice Department of concealing the identities of alleged perpetrators while failing to adequately protect victims’ privacy in early document releases. Some lawmakers went further, alleging a potential “cover-up,” claims Bondi firmly rejected, defending the review as a complex legal undertaking involving hundreds of attorneys.

The hearing grew heated as Bondi sparred with committee members and declined repeated calls to issue a direct apology to Epstein survivors present in the chamber. She instead characterized some criticisms as partisan attacks and political theater, deepening tensions on Capitol Hill.

Compounding the controversy, legislators and investigators have raised concerns about the volume of still-unreleased materials and the extent of redactions in disclosed files. Questions have also emerged regarding references to prominent figures whose names were obscured in public documents, further intensifying demands for full transparency.

The Justice Department maintains that disclosures must balance public interest with legal protections for victims and ongoing investigative integrity. Bondi reiterated that any inadvertent exposure of sensitive information was being corrected and that the department remains committed to lawful transparency.

As political pressure mounts, the Epstein files continue to cast a long shadow over Washington, underscoring enduring public distrust and the unresolved quest for accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent history.