Story perspectives

Epstein Survivor Slams Bondi's Testimony as Dismissive

2/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Epstein survivor Jess Michaels condemned Attorney General Pam Bondi's testimony before Congress, saying it dismissed victims' concerns.
During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Bondi on redactions in the Epstein files.
Michaels criticized the Department of Justice for missing victim statements and urged accountability, saying, "This circus should never happen again."
Other survivors echoed her sentiments, reporting a significant lack of empathy during the proceedings.

History

Historical Context

The 2019 Congressional hearing on Jeffrey Epstein's case highlighted systemic failures in addressing sexual abuse, reminiscent of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, which allocated over $1 billion to combat such crimes. Survivors criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for inadequate responses, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for accountability and legislative reform in sexual abuse cases, reflecting a persistent societal challenge.

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Story summary

Epstein survivor Jess Michaels condemned Attorney General Pam Bondi's testimony before Congress, saying it dismissed victims' concerns.
During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Bondi on redactions in the Epstein files.
Michaels criticized the Department of Justice for missing victim statements and urged accountability, saying, "This circus should never happen again."
Other survivors echoed her sentiments, reporting a significant lack of empathy during the proceedings.

1 / 2