Opinion | Bondi’s Incompetence Is the Latest Insult for Epstein’s Victims

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by The Editorial Board

February 14, 2026

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The recent hearing in the House Judiciary Committee exposed disturbing lapses in American justice, particularly in how Attorney General Pam Bondi handled the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files. Bondi, who oversees the Department of Justice, displayed a shocking lack of empathy toward Epstein’s victims during testimony. Instead of apologizing for the department’s mishandling of the case, she engaged in heated exchanges with lawmakers and mocked Democratic members, even demanding that they apologize to President Trump. Her behavior added further insult to the already traumatized survivors, many of whom have waited decades for accountability. The release of unredacted files, which included nude photographs of young women, compounded the harm caused to these individuals, as their privacy was egregiously overlooked. The Justice Department’s incompetence in handling the Epstein files is highlighted by Bondi’s delayed response to requests for transparency. For months, she refused to release the documents, only doing so after Congress intervened. Once released, her department failed to adequately protect victims’ privacy, national security, and active investigations. This negligence led to the public exposure of sensitive information, further victimizing those who had already suffered at Epstein’s hands. The department’s selective approach to redactions is equally concerning: while survivors were left vulnerable, the identities of powerful individuals involved in Epstein’s network remain hidden, with nearly 80% of the material still redacted. The article underscores a broader issue in American justice: the systemic failure to protect victims and hold the powerful accountable. Bondi’s actions during the hearing reflected a deeper rot in the system, where political posturing outweighs the need for justice. The selective protection of elite reputations and the weaponization of information suggest that the Epstein files

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026