Underneath fireplace, Pam Bondi brushes apart questions on her dealing with of Epstein information : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7777x5185+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd5%2Ff9%2Fad4e2dd44de08ebb6ae593fe0ac4%2Fgettyimages-2224600458.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7777x5185+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd5%2Ff9%2Fad4e2dd44de08ebb6ae593fe0ac4%2Fgettyimages-2224600458.jpg" class="img" alt="US Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks about recent drug enforcement actions during a news conference at the Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday." fetchpriority="high"/> US Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi speaks about current drug enforcement actions throughout a information convention on the Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday. Saul Loeb/AFP by way of Getty Pictures disguise caption

toggle caption

Saul Loeb/AFP by way of Getty Pictures Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi on Tuesday refused to handle questions on her dealing with of the Justice Division's information from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation or about her reported rift with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

Bondi has come beneath intense criticism from many within the MAGA motion for the reason that Justice Division launched a memo final week detailing its evaluation of the Epstein information. The 2-page doc mentioned the division discovered no proof of an Epstein shopper listing and that no further information from the investigation can be made public.

These findings, which contradicted a few of Bondi's personal previous statements and guarantees of transparency, touched off fury amongst many supporters of President Trump. Some outstanding figures within the MAGA trustworthy, together with far-right activist Laura Loomer, have known as for Bondi to resign.

At a information convention Tuesday on the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bondi was requested how she would reply to MAGA's frustrations along with her particularly.

"We'll combat to maintain America protected once more and we're combating collectively as a crew. That is what's so necessary proper now," Bondi replied.

"We have got a struggle on medication, we have a struggle on human trafficking, we have cartels on this nation and we have overseas adversaries round this world as effectively and we're all going to work collectively as a crew to combat to maintain America protected once more and I can inform you that is what we're all dedicated to."

Regardless of Bondi's efforts to maneuver on, the Epstein matter doesn't seem like going away. Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., a prime Trump ally, threw his weight behind releasing the information.

"I am for transparency," Johnson instructed right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson on Tuesday.

"It is a very delicate topic however we must always put every little thing on the market and let the individuals resolve it," Johnson mentioned. "The White Home and the White Home crew are aware about info that I do not know. I imply, this is not my lane and I have not been concerned with that, however I agree with the sentiment that we have to put it on the market."

A reported conflict over personnel on the FBI Bondi mentioned she spent the morning working with FBI Director Kash Patel, however she wouldn't tackle stories a few conflict final week with Bongino, the FBI's no. 2 official, over the Epstein information.

Requested whether or not Bongino ought to keep in his job, Bondi mentioned: "I am not going to debate personnel issues."

"I believe all of us are dedicated to working collectively now to make America protected once more, and that is what we're doing," she added.

All three prime officers — Bondi, Patel and Bongino — have at one level or one other stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein.

In February, Bondi mentioned in response to a query from FOX Information about Epstein's shopper listing that it was "sitting on my desk proper now to evaluation." The division's memo later contradicted her, saying there was no proof of such a listing.

Epstein died by suicide in a federal lockup in 2019 whereas awaiting trial on federal intercourse trafficking costs. His demise has been the supply of conspiracy theories from the beginning, notably on the far proper, due to Epstein's hyperlinks to the wealthy and highly effective.

Regardless of the calls from some in MAGA world for Bondi to step apart, she seems to proceed to benefit from the president's backing.

"The lawyer common has handed that very effectively," Trump instructed reporters Tuesday. "She's actually executed an excellent job. I believe if you have a look at it, you will perceive that."

Trump spoke to reporters once more later within the day, and mentioned he did not know why a few of his supporters had been within the Epstein story and pissed off with the way it's been dealt with.

"He is useless for a very long time. He was by no means a giant issue when it comes to life. I do not perceive what the curiosity or what the fascination is, I actually do not. And the credible data's been given," he mentioned.

"However I do not perceive why the Jeffrey Epstein case can be of curiosity to anyone," he added. "It is fairly boring stuff, it is sordid nevertheless it's boring and I do not perceive why it retains going. I believe actually solely fairly dangerous individuals together with faux information need to preserve one thing like that going. However credible data—allow them to give it. Something that is credible, I might say allow them to have it."