On Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi made headlines during a press conference where she addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi reaffirmed that last week's memo, which declined to release files related to Epstein, “speaks for itself.” This statement came in response to inquiries about the possibility of making more documents public.
When pressed by reporters regarding President Donald Trump's earlier remarks that Bondi should release “whatever she thinks is credible,” she stated, “Today our memo speaks for itself, and we will get back to you about anything else.” Trump's backing of Bondi came during a White House briefing, where he expressed confidence in her handling of the situation. He noted the need for transparency in the Epstein investigation, following comments from his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who emphasized the importance of clarity surrounding the case.
President Trump praised Bondi's performance, saying, “The attorney general has handled that very well… really done a very good job.” He acknowledged the calls for transparency, stating, “But I think the attorney general — the credibility is very important, and you want credible evidence for something like that.” Additionally, Trump clarified that Bondi had not indicated whether his name was included in the Epstein files, despite allegations made by former ally Elon Musk.
During her appearance, Bondi was also at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to discuss significant law enforcement achievements, including the seizure of 64,000 pounds of methamphetamines, some in pill form, since January. This surge in drug-related incidents, particularly around the July 4th holiday weekend, underscores the national threat posed by substances like meth-laced pills. However, the pressing issue of the Epstein case seemed to overshadow her announcements regarding drug enforcement.
Sources have revealed to CNN that the Department of Justice is eager to shift the narrative surrounding Epstein, aiming to prioritize discussions on other Trump administration initiatives, such as the recent drug busts. Despite their efforts, the backlash surrounding the Epstein files remains significant, particularly from Trump's own supporters. Reporters at the press conference continued to press Bondi for additional disclosures and queried her relationships with key figures like FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Bondi consistently refused to engage with these questions.
Bondi emphasized her commitment to collaborating with Patel and Bongino, stating that they are “all committed” to “fighting as a team” to achieve priorities such as reducing violent crime. She reinforced her position, saying, “I’m going to be here as long as the president wants me here, and I believe he’s made that crystal clear it’s four years.” She humorously noted, “Well, three and a half now, right?” in response to the ongoing discussions about her tenure.
When asked about his confidence in Bongino, President Trump expressed his support, stating, “I like Dan Bongino.” This relationship dynamic has drawn attention, especially given reports of tensions between Bongino and Bondi regarding the Epstein investigation. As the story continues to develop, both Trump and Bondi appear focused on managing the narrative while addressing pressing issues such as drug enforcement.
This article will be updated as more developments unfold regarding the Epstein investigation and the responses from Attorney General Bondi and President Trump.
