U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Faces Widespread Conservative Backlash Over Handling of Epstein Files

Washington D.C. – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing significant condemnation from within conservative circles following her department's handling of the much-anticipated Jeffrey Epstein files. The controversy, which has seen prominent conservative voices express outrage, centers on the release of heavily redacted documents and the Justice Department's subsequent claim that no "client list" exists. Liz Wolfe, a notable conservative commentator, encapsulated the sentiment, stating, > "Pretty much every conservative in my newsfeed has condemned Bondi's words."

The backlash intensified after Bondi, who assumed the role of Attorney General in February 2025, had previously teased significant disclosures regarding the Epstein case. In February, she appeared on Fox News, suggesting that a "lot of flight logs" and "a lot of names" were forthcoming, and notably claimed a "client list" was "sitting on my desk right now." This generated high expectations among those on the right who have long pursued theories surrounding Epstein's network.

However, the material distributed in late February, labeled "Epstein Files: Phase 1," was largely a rehash of previously known information, heavily redacted. The disappointment escalated in early July when the Justice Department issued a memo declaring there was no client list and that no further information would be released. This move sparked what one report described as a "full-blown revolt from the right."

Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly publicly predicted Bondi's "days are numbered," while Congressional Republicans demanded that Bondi "come forward and explain that to everybody." Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist, indicated that White House officials might speak with Bondi to "curb back her Fox News appearances" due to the fiasco. The internal conservative critique highlights a rare moment of significant dissent against a high-profile appointee within the administration.

Despite the widespread criticism, Bondi has reportedly retained the backing of President Trump, who appointed her. Her tenure has been marked by strong loyalty to the President, but the Epstein files controversy represents a significant challenge to her standing with a key segment of the conservative base that had high expectations for transparency and accountability on the issue.