WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.040 What's up everyone, and welcome to another episode of the 2 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:08.560 Epstein Chronicles. So the Pam Bondie transcript has been released, 3 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:11.640 and in this episode we're going to begin taking a 4 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:14.919 look at what she had to say about her part 5 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:19.679 in the ongoing Epstein cover up. Mister Emmer, we will 6 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.679 go on the record. This is a transcribed interview of 7 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:26.760 former Attorney General Pamela Jay Bondi, conducted by the House 8 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.879 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform under the authority granted 9 00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:34.000 in pursuant to the House Rule X. According to the 10 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:37.960 House Rule X grants the Committee broad jurisdiction for the 11 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:42.320 Committee to conduct investigations of any matter at any time. 12 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:46.320 This interview was requested by Chairman James Comer as part 13 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:51.560 of the Committee's investigation into the circumstances and subsequent investigations 14 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:55.359 into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Glenn Maxwell, the 15 00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:58.600 operation of sex trafficking rings and the ways for the 16 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:02.039 federal government to effectively combat them, the ways in which 17 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:05.400 mister Epstein and miss Maxwell sought to curry favor and 18 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.439 exercise influence to protect their legal activity, and a potential 19 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:13.480 violation of ethics rules related to elected officials. Can the 20 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:16.439 witness please state her name and spell her last name 21 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:22.000 for the record. Bondi sure, Pamela Bondi bo and du 22 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:25.959 Y Emmer thank you. My name is Jack Emmer and 23 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:29.799 I'm the Chief of Council for Investigation for Chairman James Gomer. 24 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:33.879 Under the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform rules, you're 25 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:36.680 allowed to have one Council President to advise you during 26 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:39.719 the interview. Do you have counsel representing you in a 27 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:44.200 personal capacity present with you today? BONDI only as my 28 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:47.120 when I was Attorney General for the United States, and 29 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:51.680 that's har Meat Dylan another winner, another absolute moron, har 30 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:59.719 Meat Dylan Emmer. Will counsel please identify themselves for the record. Dylan. Yes, 31 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:03.799 I'm Harmeat Dylon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, 32 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:06.079 and I'm here on behalf of the United States Department 33 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.560 of Justice, as the former Attorney General was subpoenaed and 34 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:14.039 disappearing here voluntarily in her official capacity only, and accordingly, 35 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:16.960 I'm here to represent the interest of the DOJ and 36 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.919 its interest in effectuating the Transparency Act, and solely to 37 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:25.240 be here on behalf of the DOJ. I'm also accompanied 38 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.159 by one of my colleagues, and he'll state his appearance 39 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:34.639 as well. Mister Ginn, I'm Jonathan Ginn, Deputy Assistant Attorney 40 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:37.199 General for Civil Division, and I'm here appearing in the 41 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:41.360 same capacity as Miss Dylan. Mister Emmer, we have members 42 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:43.840 of Congress here with us today. For the records, starting 43 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:47.199 with the Chairman, can members please identify themselves for the record? 44 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:53.919 James Comer, Chairman Kentucky, Mister Garcia, Ranking Member Robert Garcia, 45 00:02:54.520 --> 00:03:04.120 Congressman Sue has Submerennium, Yasimin and sorry, James Walkinshaw, Maxwell Frost, 46 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:08.400 Melanie Stansbury, mister Emmer for the records, Starting with the 47 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:12.159 Majority staff, Can the additional staff members please introduce themselves 48 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:16.960 with their name, title and affiliation. Billy Grant, Deputy Chief 49 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.159 Council for Investigations, Chairman Comer, Daniel Ashworth, General Counsel for 50 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:28.479 Chairman Comber, Ryan Gaketty, Chief Council Chairman Comer, Ellison Tolan, 51 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:32.360 Council for Chairman Comber, and the list goes on. We're 52 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:35.319 going to pick back up with the conversation though, mister Emmer, 53 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:38.639 thank you all. Attorney General BONDI, before we begin, I 54 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:40.520 would like to go over the ground rules for the 55 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:44.680 transcribed interview. The questioning will proceed in rounds. The majority 56 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:46.919 will ask questions for up to an hour, and then 57 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:49.680 the minority will have an opportunity to ask questions for 58 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:53.280 an hour if they choose to the extent. Members have 59 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:57.039 questions for the witness, they'll be propounded during their sides 60 00:03:57.120 --> 00:03:59.879 respective rounds. The clock will stop if you need to 61 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:03.360 confer with counsel. Your counsel speaking, and when members of 62 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:06.919 staff are speaking during the opposing side rounds of questions, 63 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:10.719 we will alternate back and forth until there's no more questions. 64 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:15.319 Do you understand BONDI yeah, Emmer. There's court reporter taking 65 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:18.040 down everything I say and everything you say to make 66 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:20.759 a written record of the interview. For the record to 67 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:23.360 be clear, please wait until the staff for questioning you 68 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:27.439 finishes each question before you begin your answer, and the 69 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:31.079 staffer will wait until you finish your response before proceeding 70 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:34.480 to the next question. Further, to ensure that the court 71 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:39.399 reporter can properly record this transcribed interview, please speak clearly, concisely, 72 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:44.680 and slowly. Also, the court reporter cannot record nonverbal answers 73 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.639 such as nodding or shaking your head, so it's important 74 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:51.240 that you answer each question with an audible verbal answer. 75 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:55.920 Do you understand BONDI? Yeah? Emmer exhibits may be entered 76 00:04:55.959 --> 00:05:00.560 into the record. Majority exhibits will be identified numerically, Minority 77 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:04.759 exhibits will be identified alphabetically. We want you to answer 78 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:08.160 our questions in the most complete and truthful manner possible, 79 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.120 so we will take our time. If you have any 80 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.160 questions or do not fully understand the question, please let 81 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:17.480 us know. We will attempt to clarify, add context to, 82 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.839 or rephrase our questions. If we ask about specific conversations 83 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:24.600 or events in the past and you're unable to recall 84 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:28.160 the exact words or details, you should testify to the 85 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:31.639 substance of those conversations or events to the best of 86 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:35.160 your recollection. If you recall only part of the conversation 87 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:38.240 or event, you should give us your best recollection of 88 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:41.519 those events or parts of conversations that you do recall. 89 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.800 Do you understand BONDI yes? Question. Although you're here voluntarily, 90 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:50.319 you're acquired by law pursuant the Title eighteen of the 91 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.399 United States Code, Section one thousand and one to answer 92 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:57.800 questions from Congress truthfully This also applies to questions posed 93 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:03.120 by Congressional staff in the interview do you understand Bondy yes? Question? 94 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:06.279 If at any time you knowingly make false statements, you 95 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:11.680 could be subject to criminal prosecution. Do you understand Bondy yes? Emmer. 96 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:15.879 This includes knowingly providing false testimony, but also stating you 97 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:19.120 do not recall or remember something when in fact you do. 98 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:24.360 Do you understand Bondy yes, Emmer. Furthermore, you cannot tell 99 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:28.040 half truth or exclude information necessary to make statements accurate. 100 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:31.680 You're required to provide all information that would make your 101 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:36.399 response truthful. A deliberate failure to disclose information can constitute 102 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:40.839 a false statement. Do you understand bond yes? Emmer. Is 103 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:43.879 there any reason you're unable to provide truthful testimony in 104 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:47.759 today's interview? Bondy no, Emmer. Please note that if you 105 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:51.439 wish to assert a privilege over any statement today, that 106 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.439 assertion must comply with the rules of the Committee on 107 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:58.759 Oversight and Government Reform pursu into that committee. Rule sixteen 108 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:02.360 C one states for the chair to consider assertions a 109 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:07.639 privilege over testimony, your statements, witnesses or entities must clearly 110 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:10.920 state the specific privilege be an asserted and the reason 111 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:14.720 for the assertion, honor before the scheduled date of testimony 112 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:19.560 or appearance. Do you understand, Bondy, yes, Emmer. Ordinarily we 113 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.759 take a five minute break at the end of each 114 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.319 hour of questioning, but if you need a longer break 115 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:26.560 or a break before that, please let us know and 116 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:29.920 we'll be happy to accommodate. However, to the extent that 117 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:32.319 there's a pending question, we would ask you to finish 118 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:36.199 answering the question before we take a break. Do you understand, 119 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:39.560 bond Y, yes, Emmer. I would like to remind anyone 120 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:43.000 here today that the taking of still photography and the 121 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:46.759 recording of video of any part of today's proceeding is prohibited. 122 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.240 Attorney General Bondi. Do you have any other questions before 123 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:53.480 we begin? Bondy no, Emmer. Do you have an opening 124 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:57.759 statement that you'll be reading into the record? Bond Y, yes, please, Emmer, 125 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:01.920 you may proceed. Bondy, good morning. Before we start today, 126 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:05.079 I want to reiterate what I've said many times regarding 127 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:09.040 the Department's handling during my tenure as Attorney General of 128 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:12.360 the voluminous materials that are now commonly known as the 129 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:16.639 Epstein Files. I'm proud of the Department's record and commitment 130 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:22.160 to transparency. Under my leadership, we demonstrated an unprecedented commitment 131 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.959 to transparency in the department search for collection and review 132 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:30.199 of the Epstein Files, producing nearly three pages of material, 133 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:33.799 including thousands of videos and hundreds of thousands of images. 134 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:38.679 These investigations span four administrations, dating back to the Bush 135 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:43.000 administration and have gone on through the Obama administration, the 136 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.480 first Trump administration, the Biden administration. The only time federal 137 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:51.759 prosecutors were permitted to launch investigations against Epstein and Maxwell 138 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:55.879 was when President Trump occupied the White House. Only under 139 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:00.399 President Trump were three million Epstein related documents released. This 140 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:04.279 was an enormously complicated and labor intensive process. To the 141 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:07.840 best of my knowledge, the Department produced everything required under 142 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:11.919 the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Our diligent and good faith 143 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:16.279 effort to collect materials ensured that all potentially responsive documents 144 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:19.799 that could be reasonably located would see the light of day. 145 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:24.799 All Department components were directed to submit any potential responsive records, 146 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:29.600 resulting in a comprehensive review of millions of documents. At 147 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:32.559 the head of a large department with broad responsibility. I 148 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:35.799 did not lead every aspect of this effort, nor conduct 149 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:40.399 the document review myself. I delegated that oversight over the 150 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:44.559 process to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The team of 151 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.799 professionals who were reviewed the material that we collected assured 152 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:52.320 me the only material that were withheld were either non responsive, privileged, 153 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:56.600 or duplicative. Although not required by the Act, the Department 154 00:09:56.600 --> 00:10:00.440 has given Congress access to unredacted duplicative material in the 155 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:05.360 reading room in an effort to maximize transparency. There were 156 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:08.279 redaction errors, but since day one of the process, the 157 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:13.000 Department has been committed to accountability and transparency. Our stance 158 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:15.639 has always been that the Department stands ready to review 159 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:19.519 any potential evidence of criminal activity related to Ebstein and 160 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:24.840 his associates, and would pursue the appropriate investigations or prosecutorial 161 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.519 actions wherever the facts in law warrant. I would like 162 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:31.279 to repeat what I shared before the House Judiciary Committee 163 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:35.080 in February. I've spent my entire career fighting for victims, 164 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:38.679 and I'll continue to do so. I am deeply sorry 165 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:41.600 for what any victim has been through, especially as a 166 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:45.159 result of that monster. If they have any information to 167 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:48.080 share with law enforcement about anyone who has hurt them 168 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:51.600 or abused them. The FBI is waiting to hear from them. 169 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:55.000 The bottom line is justice and transparency in this matter 170 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:58.759 have been delivered at the direction of President Trump and 171 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:03.200 his administration. Thank you, mister Emmer, Thank you. We've had 172 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:06.759 another member of Congress join. Can he please identify himself 173 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:11.480 for the record, mister min Congressman Dave min Emmer. Attorney 174 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:13.879 General Bondie, I just want to thank you again for 175 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:18.200 participating in today's proceeding and for your years the public service, 176 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:21.120 both to our country and the state of Florida. I 177 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.120 want to recognize that you're currently undergoing cancer treatment, and 178 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:26.200 I'll say that we will do our best to ask 179 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:29.679 all the questions in the most efficient and timely way possible. 180 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.240 So let's start by briefly discussing your education and experience. 181 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:37.200 I understand that you've had a long career, but can 182 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.960 you summarize it for the record. Bondie Sure. I went 183 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:44.720 to the University of Florida undergraduate. I graduated from Stetson 184 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:48.039 College of Law. I was a prosecutor in Hillsborough County, 185 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:52.519 Florida for eighteen years. Prosecuting almost every kind of crime imaginable, 186 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:56.080 from first degree murders all the way to domestic violence. 187 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:59.679 I was Felony Bureau Chief there as well. I also 188 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:02.320 be the Attorney General for the State of Florida, where 189 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.960 I served for eight years, and then for the past 190 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:09.360 year I was Attorney General of the United States. Question 191 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:12.759 by Emmer, So let's talk about your time as Attorney general. 192 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:16.720 You started in February of twenty twenty five. Is that correct? Answer? Yes, 193 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:21.120 question by Emmer. And as it relates to Jeffrey Epstein, matter, 194 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:25.440 when you assumed office, what was the DOJ doing? Answer 195 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:29.840 when I assumed regarding Epstein Emer Yes, Bondie, when I 196 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:33.360 assumed office, nothing to my knowledge and nothing had been released, 197 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:35.600 and I don't know if it had been requested to 198 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:40.039 be released. Emmer. Did you direct the Department to conduct 199 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:43.720 a review of the Epstein and Maxwell investigation? Answer immediately, 200 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:47.480 I mean within weeks of assuming office. Question can you 201 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:50.960 describe for the committee what that looked like? Answer? Yes, 202 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.519 I spoke to the FBI and we asked them to 203 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:58.399 turn over all the documents in their possession related to Epstein. Emmer, 204 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:01.399 and as far as the those documents What was the 205 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:06.360 DOJ going to do with those documents? Bondy, provide transparency 206 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.799 and release them to the public and the Congress, of course. 207 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:13.039 Question by Emmer. And I believe you said that started 208 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:16.440 immediately upon your assuming office. Is that right, Bondy, I 209 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:20.360 believe within weeks Emmer. And as far as providing transparency, 210 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:23.159 was there a specific timeline that you provided to the 211 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:27.879 FBI to follow as far as releasing the documents? Bondi, yeah, 212 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:31.039 it was prior to Director Bettel being confirmed. I believe 213 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:33.879 when the process started and we received from the FBI 214 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:38.679 approximately three hundred documents that were released. Emmer. And to 215 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:42.120 be clear, you directed this internal review of the Epstein matter. 216 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.879 There was no other review that was occurring prior to 217 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:49.200 you assuming office. Answer not to my knowledge question. Also 218 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:52.679 for the record, the Epstein and Maxwell investigation was considered 219 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:56.200 closed upon you taking office answer to my knowledge yes. 220 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:00.240 Question When were you first briefed on the Eptie Stein 221 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:04.679 Maxwell matter? Answer by Bondi initially after we received again 222 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:08.320 approximately three hundred documents and those were released, and I 223 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.600 believe that was the tip of the iceberg, that that 224 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:14.600 the FBI had not turned over all the documents. Director 225 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:17.279 Patel eventually was confirmed, and I sent him a letter 226 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:20.200 asking him to look into that and give us any 227 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:23.519 other documents in the FBI's possession anywhere in the country, 228 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:29.080 and ultimately we received much more. Question and for the record, 229 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:31.120 who would have been briefing you on the Epstein matter 230 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:36.960 as far as one you took office, Bondie Todd Blanche question, 231 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:40.080 what specific concerns did the department have as it related 232 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:43.360 to the Epstein and Maxwell matter when you assumed office? 233 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:47.000 Answer that nothing was released And again to my knowledge, 234 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:51.000 no one that spanned the Biden administration or previously had 235 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:53.639 sought to release any of the information. And I believe 236 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:56.559 it was within weeks of me assuming office that we 237 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:01.320 asked for and demanded all these documents. Emmer, do you 238 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:04.879 recall whether there were concerns that there was potentially unindicted 239 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:09.720 co conspirators? Answer always yes. All right, folks, we're gonna 240 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.919 wrap up right here, and in the next episode dealing 241 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.240 with the topic, we're gonna pick up where we left off. 242 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.240 All the information that goes with this episode can be 243 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:20.679 found in the description box. What's up, everyone, and welcome 244 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:24.519 to another episode of the Epstein Chronicles. In this episode, 245 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:31.639 We're gonna get right back to the Pam Bondi transcript. Emmer, So, 246 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.480 at the time that you directed this review, was there 247 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:39.799 any sort of plan of what the review would consist of? Bondi? Well, initially, again, 248 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:42.960 we only received several hundred documents and they were released 249 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.360 upon reaction by the FBI. Then, once Director but Tell 250 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.960 assumed disposition, we found many more documents, and as we 251 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:53.159 receive those, those were reviewed and released. And we have 252 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.279 always made it very clear that if anyone is the 253 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:58.039 victim of Jeffrey Epstein, and I count Clain Maxwell in 254 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.000 there too, she's just as evil as Jeffrey Epstein was, 255 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:04.639 that they come forward to us the FBI. Many of 256 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:08.840 these victims are represented by lawyers and talk to us. Emmer. 257 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:12.120 Upon taking office, did any victims or victim attorneys reach 258 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:17.559 out to the department? Bondi, yes, Emmer, how many, Bondie, 259 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:19.919 I can't recall how many. I know multiple. There were 260 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.799 multiple victims and many of which I believe the majority 261 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:26.759 are represented by attorneys. Emmer. Did you meet with them 262 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:29.399 personally or would that have been something that Todd Blanche 263 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:33.279 would have done? Answer Bondi. No, I spoke to one attorney. 264 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:36.000 I can't recall her name. She was a former prosecutor, 265 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:38.759 and she seemed to deeply care about these victims, of course, 266 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:41.320 and I spoke to her, and I believe I referred 267 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:44.320 her to the FBI. You know, when a victim is represented, 268 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:47.080 you go through their attorney, and I spoke to her directly, 269 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.679 and then I know many of the lawyers in my 270 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:52.480 office spoke to other attorneys, and I believe the FBI 271 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:55.480 spoke to multiple victims as well. But I would direct 272 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:59.879 that to Deputy Attorney General now Acting Attorney General Blanche, 273 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:04.000 and also director of Battel Emmer. You would have been 274 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:06.559 briefed on these meetings with victims and their attorneys, is 275 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:11.279 that right, BONDI, I have not been. After the fact, 276 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:14.440 question Okay, do you have any idea what the victims 277 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:17.920 and their attorneys were concerned about during the time period 278 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:22.119 of February and spring of twenty twenty five? BONDI only 279 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:24.279 the attorney that I spoke to, and she was just 280 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:28.920 concerned about being heard and these victims being heard. Emmer, 281 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:32.000 Uh huh? Were they interested in files being released at 282 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:38.240 the time? Answer? I don't recall. Question Okay, you mentioned 283 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:42.039 Director Battel and the FBI. Were there any other agencies 284 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:46.920 that were involved in the review of documents during this period, Bondi, 285 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:51.079 the FBI, the DOJ, multiple components of the DOJ, my 286 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:54.480 National Security Division at the time, and then ultimately we 287 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:58.079 received multiple documents. We used attorneys from around the country, 288 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:02.359 including Florida and New York. Emmer, and I know I 289 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:05.319 asked you about potential co conspirators earlier, but when you 290 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:08.480 were reviewing these initial documents in the spring of twenty 291 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:12.000 twenty five, were there ever any plans to pursue investigations 292 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:16.079 into potential co conspirators? Answer? I'm sorry, what month did 293 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:19.759 you say? Emmer? Upon assuming office and during the spring 294 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:23.799 of twenty twenty five, Bondy, if there were co conspirators 295 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:26.400 or evidence that anyone committed a crime that could be 296 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:31.680 proven in a courtroom, it's any prosecutor's duty to pursue that, Emmer, 297 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:35.200 Attorney General Bondi. On February twenty first, twenty twenty five, 298 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:38.519 just over two weeks after you were sworn in as AG, 299 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:42.319 you responded to a question in an interview about a 300 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:45.640 purported list of Epstein's clients by saying it's sitting on 301 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:48.559 my desk right now. Is that an accurate characterization of 302 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:52.200 your statements during that interview, Bondi, if you listened to 303 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:55.279 the entire interview, I was referring to the file, and 304 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:57.519 I also included I don't have a copy of the 305 00:18:57.559 --> 00:19:00.359 transcript of that interview, but I kept going in said 306 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.319 the question, was I believe a list of clients? And 307 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:05.880 I said, it's sitting on my desk to review, along 308 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:10.440 with JFK files MLK files. I wasn't I meant the 309 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:13.200 files to review. I had not reviewed them at the time, 310 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:17.279 and I made that clear. Emmer. And I'm assuming you 311 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:21.680 did ultimately review those files, is that right, BONDI? Yeah, 312 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.839 along with multiple attorneys in my office. Emmer And were 313 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:28.440 those files the ones that you referred to previously that 314 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:34.279 the FBI produced to the DOJ upon assuming office? Answer? Yes, question, 315 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:37.759 thank you, Bondi, And I think you clarified something for me. 316 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:40.519 It was within two weeks of assuming office that I 317 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:43.799 received those so really within just a week or more, 318 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:48.279 I had requested all the Epstein documents. Question and during 319 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:51.000 this period, upon the assuming office, you were interested in 320 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:56.319 whether or not there was a client list of Epstein Bondy, Yes, Emmer, 321 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:58.839 and you directed the department to review whether there was 322 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:03.319 a client list bond question by Emmer. And those documents 323 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:05.440 that you referred to that were sitting on your desk 324 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:10.559 were those ultimately produced publicly? Bondi, yes, Emmer. A week later, 325 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:13.519 on February twenty seventh, twenty twenty five, a group of 326 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:17.000 select individuals left the White House holding white binders that 327 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:20.440 contained the DOJ seal and were labeled the Epstein Files 328 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.680 Phase one. Do you recall this occurring, Bondi, yeah, and 329 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:28.680 that would include the approximately I'm saying approximate three hundred pages, 330 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:31.480 and I believe that included flight logs and other things. 331 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:35.720 But those were the initial documents that we received. Emmer. 332 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:38.880 Were you involved in providing these documents to these individuals? 333 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:44.440 Bondi yes, question and ultimately, whose decision was it to 334 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:48.559 release the documents? Bondy Ultimately mine to release as much 335 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:52.720 as we could while protecting victim's identities. Emmer. How were 336 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.680 the recipients of this Phase one release selected? Answer? We 337 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.599 were seeing them that day, they were at the White 338 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:01.200 House and we handed them the bar and then it 339 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:05.200 was released to the general public as well. Emmer. Were 340 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:08.319 these recipients of the Phase one release also provided an 341 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:12.920 opportunity to review the documents at DOJ headquarters. Bondy, I 342 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:16.440 don't believe so, Emmer. So the label Epstein Files Phase 343 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.599 one at that point, was it presumed that there would 344 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:21.640 be a Phase two? Answer? Yeah, because I didn't believe 345 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:25.359 that there were only three hundred approximately pages of Epstein documents. 346 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:28.359 And I had sent the FBI a letter demanding everything 347 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.440 they had, and that meant around this country on Epstein 348 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:35.240 and that was all we received, Emmer. And to be clear, 349 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:37.759 was there any other release of documents prior to this 350 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:42.400 Committee's investigation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act? Answer? Yes, 351 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:46.920 multiple ones, multiple ones, Emmer. At this time, I'd like 352 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:50.440 to introduce what will be marked as majority Exhibit number one, 353 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.839 and I'll give you a moment to review. Attorney General Bondi, 354 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.519 do you recognize this letter, Bondi? Yes, this is the 355 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:01.720 letter that I referred to earlier dated February twenty seventh, 356 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:05.559 twenty twenty five, that I sent a Director Patel and 357 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:08.720 to clarify, I had said that we released approximately three 358 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:12.480 hundred maybe earlier documents, there were about two hundred pages. 359 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:15.960 According to the letter that I sent them. Emmer. So, 360 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.920 in the letter, you claim that you learn from a 361 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:20.720 source that the FBI Field office in New York was 362 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:24.680 withholding thousands of pages of Epstein documents, despite the FBI's 363 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:28.160 assurances that all relevant documents had been delivered to the 364 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:31.920 Department of Justice already. In this letter, you say that 365 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:34.880 you only received about two hundred pages and requested an 366 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:39.200 investigation into the document shortfall. Is that an accurate summary 367 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:43.880 of what occurred? Answer? Yes, Emmer. Why do you think 368 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:48.279 that this field office was withholding documents? BONDI? I asked 369 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:52.519 Ptel to look into that. Emmer. Who told or who 370 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:55.039 told you or brought these concerns to you that they 371 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:58.759 may be withholding documents, Bondy. I believe it was one 372 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:01.200 of the attorneys in my office who said. I believe 373 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:03.640 it was a career prosecutor who said, I think there 374 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:06.079 are more documents and they're in New York. I don't 375 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:09.000 believe it was an FBI agent. And then that's when 376 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:14.440 I contacted Director Patel, who by that time had assumed office. Emmer. 377 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:17.279 You also stated in the letter that the FBI failed 378 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:20.920 to disclose the existence of these documents after your repeated 379 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:24.960 requests to turn over all documents. Is that correct, Bondi? 380 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:27.799 That is correct, and I said by eight am tomorrow, 381 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:30.799 the FBI will deliver the full and complete Epstein files 382 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:35.519 to my office, including all records, documents, audio and video recordings, 383 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:39.720 and materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and his clients, regardless 384 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:42.559 of how such information was obtained. There will be no 385 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:47.680 withholdings or limitations to my or your access. The Department 386 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:51.039 of Justice will ensure that any public disclosure of these 387 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:53.599 files will be done in a manner to protect the 388 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:56.519 privacy of victims and in accordance with the law, as 389 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:59.559 I've done my entire career as a prosecutor. And the 390 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:04.359 letter continues, question and you already mentioned that you discussed 391 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:07.319 this with Director Patel. Did you also discuss it with 392 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:11.240 Deputy Director of Bongino? Answer? I don't know if Deputy 393 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:14.279 Director of Bongino had assumed his office at that point. 394 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:18.599 Emmer and pursue into your letter. Did Director Ptel initiate 395 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:24.640 an investigation into that field office? Bondi, I believe he did. Emmer. 396 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:28.559 Do you know what the results of that investigation were? Bondi, 397 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:32.640 I don't recall. Emmer given this letter, What other steps 398 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:35.839 did you take to ensure the FBI turned over any 399 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:40.440 end all of the remaining withheld documents? Bondi. I relied 400 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:47.640 on Patel and Deputy Attorney General Blanche. Question by Emmer, 401 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:50.279