ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated on Tuesday that she has no intentions of resigning amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and her disagreements with a prominent FBI official. During a press conference aimed at showcasing drug seizures, Bondi chose to prioritize her responsibilities rather than address inquiries related to the Epstein case, which has recently caused unrest among right-wing circles.
As reporters pressed her for answers regarding the fallout from the Trump administration's decision not to release further records tied to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation, Bondi asserted her commitment to her role as attorney general. "I’m going to be here for as long as the president wants me here," Bondi stated, emphasizing her belief that President Donald Trump has made this expectation "crystal clear."
The announcement took place at the Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters and served as Bondi's attempt to shift focus away from the Epstein controversy. She aimed to reassure the public and conservative critics that the Justice Department is making progress despite recent discontent concerning the lack of transparency regarding Epstein's case. Highlighting recent law enforcement efforts, Bondi discussed the seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl, including drugs concealed within a shipment of cucumbers crossing the Mexican border.
However, her refusal to engage with questions about Epstein may exacerbate the frustration among conservative commentators who are advocating for increased transparency and accountability regarding the case. Responding to a reporter's question, Bondi emphasized the importance of focusing on the impact of fentanyl overdoses throughout the United States instead of discussing Epstein's files. "That’s the message that we’re here to send today. I’m not going to talk about Epstein," she remarked.
President Trump publicly supported Bondi, endorsing her handling of the Epstein investigation and stating that it is her decision whether to release any additional records. Trump expressed his belief that she should disclose anything she considers credible. When asked about Trump's remarks, Bondi referred to a recently released Justice Department memo that indicated no further evidence would be disclosed, stating, "it speaks for itself and we’ll get back to you on anything else."
The situation regarding the Epstein investigation received heightened attention last week when reports emerged detailing internal discord between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. This dispute included a report from NewsNation, which claimed that the FBI could have released the Epstein files independently months prior, a notion that Bondi and other officials publicly refuted, excluding Bongino.
When questioned about Bongino's continuation in his position, Bondi refrained from commenting on personnel matters but stressed that she had collaborated with other officials, asserting a collective commitment to enhancing safety in the country. Bondi had previously attracted scrutiny following a document release in February that she presented to conservative influencers at the White House, which ultimately failed to provide new revelations. After that setback, she accused officials of withholding information, claiming the FBI later provided an extensive amount of documents.
Despite assurances of forthcoming files for public release, the Justice Department concluded, following an extensive review, that additional disclosures would neither be "appropriate nor warranted." This decision, detailed in the memo released last week, has raised questions and criticisms regarding the administration's transparency concerning the Epstein investigation.
