Attorney General Pam Bondi of Arlington, Va., indicated on Tuesday that she has no intention of resigning amidst inquiries about Jeffrey Epstein and her dispute with a top FBI official. Despite facing backlash from the right-wing, Bondi is determined to continue with business as usual at the Justice Department.
During a press conference highlighting recent drug seizures, Bondi avoided questions regarding the Trump administration’s decision not to disclose more records related to Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Some prominent figures within President Trump’s support base have expressed their dissatisfaction, with some even calling for Bondi’s resignation. However, Bondi made it clear that she plans to stay on as attorney general, stating, “I’m going to be here for as long as the president wants me to be here.”
Bondi’s announcement at the Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters regarding methamphetamine and fentanyl seizures is an attempt to shift focus away from the Epstein controversy and demonstrate that the Justice Department is moving forward despite criticism from supporters of the administration. By sidestepping questions about the turmoil, Bondi may further frustrate conservative influencers who are demanding transparency and accountability in Epstein’s case.
When asked about Trump’s support, Bondi mentioned that the Justice Department’s recent memo, which indicated that no additional evidence would be made public, speaks for itself. She declined to comment further on the matter, emphasizing that the focus should be on addressing the opioid crisis and supporting those affected by fentanyl overdoses.
The public conflict within the Justice Department over the handling of Epstein’s case was highlighted by a reported dispute between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Despite this, Bondi declined to discuss personnel matters and emphasized a commitment to working together to ensure public safety.
Bondi had faced scrutiny earlier this year for a document release in February that did not reveal any new information. She claimed that additional evidence had been withheld from her and later accused the FBI of providing a substantial amount of new evidence. Bondi’s efforts to navigate the fallout from the Epstein case demonstrate her determination to continue her role as attorney general.
Despite assurances of additional document releases to the public, the Justice Department concluded after a thorough review lasting several months that no further disclosure was deemed necessary or justified, as stated in the recently published memo.
