A House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing erupted into shouting Wednesday as Attorney General Pam Bondi and Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., engaged in a fiery exchange over questioning related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The hearing, titled “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice,” quickly turned combative as Bondi sparred with Democratic lawmakers and repeatedly pushed back when members attempted to reclaim their time.
The flashpoint came during questioning from Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who asked Bondi how many of Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators she had indicted and how many were under investigation.
As Bondi began to respond, Nadler cut her off and reclaimed his time, prompting an escalating back-and-forth.
“How many have you indicted?” Nadler pressed.
“Excuse me! I’m gonna answer the question!” Bondi shot back.
“Answer MY question!” Nadler responded.
“No, I’m going to answer the question the way I want to answer the question!” Bondi said.
Nadler countered that she should answer it as asked, while Bondi turned to Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, saying, “I’m not going to get in the gutter with these people, but I’m going to answer the question.”
Jordan attempted to restore order, reminding members that the time belonged to the questioner but that the witness was entitled to answer.
As the exchange continued, Bondi suggested that critics “don’t like the answer” because it is “honest,” noting that Nadler had asked what she described as a lengthy question.
That comment prompted Raskin to jump in, demanding that the clock be stopped and Nadler’s time restored.
“Restore 45 seconds to Mr. Nadler, please, Mr. Chairman,” Raskin said. “You can let her filibuster all day long, but not on our watch. Not on our time. No way. And I told you about that, Attorney General, before you started. Before you started.”
Bondi fired back, telling Raskin, “You don’t tell me anything!” and adding a remark that included calling him “not even a lawyer.”
Raskin, who is a lawyer and former law professor, responded that he had warned her about reclaiming time procedures and referenced her prior Senate appearance.
Chairman Jordan repeatedly called for order as members talked over one another.
“The committee will be in order,” Jordan said, attempting to referee the escalating confrontation.
Nadler insisted he should receive at least 45 seconds back on the clock. Jordan agreed to grant him additional time and stated he was timing the extension.
When the floor returned to him, Nadler declared, “Reclaiming my time. The answer to my question, how many of Epstein’s co-conspirators has she indicted, is zero.”
The tense exchange underscored the sharp partisan divide that has marked recent oversight hearings, particularly when it comes to high-profile investigations and the Justice Department’s handling of politically sensitive matters.
Throughout the hearing, Bondi bristled at interruptions from Democratic members, while Republicans defended her right to answer questions without being cut off. Democrats, meanwhile, accused her of sidestepping direct answers and consuming members’ allotted time.
The shouting match between Bondi and Raskin highlighted the increasingly heated tone on Capitol Hill as lawmakers press the Justice Department over its actions and priorities.
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