Democrats Call for Special Counsel to Investigate Attorney General Pam Bondi

Representatives Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) have formally requested that the Justice Department appoint a special counsel to investigate Attorney General Pam Bondi. The lawmakers accuse Bondi of perjury during her testimony at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on February 11, 2026, where she stated, “There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime.” This assertion is contested by documents released from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which Lieu and Goldman argue contradict her statement. They contend that the integrity of the nation’s top law enforcement officer is at stake, stating, “America cannot have a liar and a criminal as our top law enforcement officer.”

MEAWWThe Hill

During the hearing, Lieu confronted Bondi with video footage of Trump at a party with Epstein and documents alleging misconduct, including claims from a limo driver about Trump. Bondi dismissed these inquiries as distractions from Trump’s accomplishments, stating, “This is so ridiculous.” Despite the confrontation, Bondi did not retract her statement, leading Lieu to assert that she “should be prosecuted.”

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The Justice Department has responded to the allegations by labeling them as “salaciously insane” and “baseless.” In a statement on X, the DOJ criticized Lieu, claiming that the documents he referenced had “ZERO credibility” and accused him of advancing his political ambitions through unfounded accusations. The DOJ maintains that all relevant documents have been produced, except those that are duplicates, privileged, or part of ongoing investigations.

The Hill

In light of the allegations against Bondi, House Oversight Democrats have initiated a separate investigation into the DOJ's handling of evidence related to Trump. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, stated that he reviewed unredacted evidence logs and believes the DOJ may have illegally withheld FBI interviews with a survivor who accused Trump of sexual assault. This follows an NPR report indicating that several records relating to Trump were missing from the Epstein documents.

MEAWWThe Hill

Garcia emphasized the need for transparency, asserting that the Oversight Democrats will investigate whether the DOJ is manufacturing excuses to appease its “anti-Trump base.” The DOJ has countered these claims, asserting that any temporary removal of files was solely for the protection of victim identities and personally identifiable information.

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There is a notable discrepancy between the claims made by Lieu and Goldman regarding the evidence against Trump and the DOJ's assertions of the documents' credibility. While the lawmakers argue that the released documents contradict Bondi's testimony, the DOJ maintains that no relevant documents have been deleted and that all responsive documents have been made available.

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• “They are trying to deflect from all the great things Donald Trump has done. There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime.” — Pam Bondi, Attorney General

The Hill

• “We request that you immediately appoint a special counsel to investigate Attorney General Bondi for committing perjury. America cannot have a liar and a criminal as our top law enforcement officer.” — Ted Lieu, Representative

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• “First: these salaciously insane accusations are in the library- UNredacted.” — Justice Department Statement

The Hill

• “ “Oversight Democrats should stop misleading the public while manufacturing outrage from their radical anti-Trump base.” — Justice Department Statement

The Hill