Following Pam Bondi’s departure from her role as U.S. Attorney General, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and their advocates are reflecting on what they view as missed opportunities for justice during her time in office.
Jess Michaels, who has publicly stated she was sexually assaulted by the deceased financier and convicted sex offender, initially held hope when Bondi took the position. “I thought, ‘Well, maybe a woman stepping into this role will finally, finally get the truth,’” Michaels said Thursday after President Donald Trump announced Bondi’s exit from the nation’s top law enforcement position.
“She had this opportunity to be a hero and to really do right by survivors of sexual violence and trafficking,” Michaels continued, “and she chose not to.”
The handling of what became known as the “Epstein files” – a collection of investigative records – created ongoing problems throughout Bondi’s tenure. The situation followed a pattern of initially building expectations for major revelations, then claiming there was little new information, and finally resulting in a problematic document release.
While Bondi dismissed criticism regarding her approach to the matter, Trump praised her Thursday as “a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend.”
Epstein survivors like Michaels remain skeptical that Bondi’s departure alone will restore their faith in the system. Fellow accuser Annie Farmer emphasized Thursday that “This is not about a single person. It is about a government and judicial system that has repeatedly failed Epstein survivors.”
Early in her tenure, Bondi generated excitement among those seeking transparency by announcing on Fox News that “you’re going to see some Epstein information released.” When asked specifically about making public “the list of Jeffrey Epstein’s clients” – a rumored but never-confirmed roster of those involved in sex trafficking – she stated it was “sitting on my desk right now.”
The following day, conservative media figures were invited to the White House to receive DOJ binders marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified.”
However, this transparency effort quickly faced criticism when it became clear that most of the material was already available to the public. Bondi then demanded the FBI provide her with “the full and complete Epstein files,” later claiming she had discovered a “truckload” of previously hidden material and promising “everything is going to come out to the public.”
After months of anticipation, the Justice Department reversed course and announced it would not release additional Epstein materials. In an unsigned memo, the agency explained that court orders had sealed much of the information to protect victims, and “only a fraction” would have been made public even if Epstein had faced trial. Officials also stated they found no evidence warranting new charges or investigations, adding that “perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein” would not serve victims’ interests.
The department also clarified there was no “client list,” explaining that Bondi’s earlier reference to having it “on her desk” actually meant the general case file.
This reversal drew sharp criticism from conservative influencers and others who questioned Bondi’s competence. Despite this, Trump continued supporting her, even preventing a journalist from questioning her about Epstein during a White House Cabinet meeting.
Trump himself had raised questions about Epstein following the financier’s 2019 death in jail while facing federal sex trafficking charges. However, after the Justice Department memo, the president suggested there was nothing more to discuss regarding Epstein and urged the country, including his supporters, to move forward.
As revelations continued emerging that led to consequences for powerful individuals – notably Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain’s former Prince Andrew – Congress enacted legislation requiring the Justice Department to release its Epstein investigative files. Trump signed this into law while characterizing the push for Epstein information as a Democratic distraction from Republican priorities.
At Trump’s direction, Bondi announced that the Manhattan U.S. attorney would examine Epstein’s connections to some of the Republican president’s political opponents, including former Democratic President Bill Clinton. Neither Clinton nor Trump, both former Epstein associates, have been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s accusers. Both have stated they were unaware of Epstein’s misconduct and ended their relationships with him years ago.
When the statutory deadline arrived for releasing the Epstein files, the Justice Department only disclosed a portion of them. While the records contained some previously unseen material, including candid photographs of Clinton, they did not reveal groundbreaking information and included minimal content about Trump.
The department indicated it was continuing to review other Epstein records to ensure victim protection.
Democrats alleged a cover-up, bill sponsor Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., accused the Justice Department of violating the law by missing deadlines and over-redacting documents, and some Epstein accusers also questioned the extensive redactions.
Subsequently, the Justice Department began releasing a massive collection of additional Epstein documents, videos and photographs, though some materials remained sealed.
These records revealed favor-trading and candid communications within an elite circle that overlooked Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida. Several high-profile Epstein associates resigned or lost positions in corporate America, academia, major law firms, and the British, Slovakian and Norwegian governments.
However, the documents exposed highly personal details about some victims while redacting names of Epstein correspondents in communications that appeared to reference sexual abuse of minors.
Gloria Allred, who represents multiple Epstein victims, stated Thursday that Bondi failed them by not protecting personal information in the files. “She has destroyed the trust in the DOJ that victims had a right to expect, and her termination may be the only type of justice that survivors will receive from the DOJ,” Allred said via email.
During a congressional hearing, Bondi attempted to address the Epstein files controversy in a confrontational manner. She defended the Justice Department’s handling of the matter, directed personal attacks at Democrats, and praised Trump on various topics including stock market performance.
While Bondi expressed deep regret for what Epstein victims endured, she refused a request from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., to face the victims and apologize for the Justice Department’s actions. She also dismissed Massie’s criticisms regarding the release of victims’ personal information.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a subpoena requiring Bondi to answer questions on April 14 about the Justice Department’s management of the Epstein investigation and file release. With five Republicans joining Democrats in supporting the subpoena, it demonstrated widespread dissatisfaction, including within the GOP base, regarding Bondi’s handling of the situation.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will now serve as acting attorney general.
Michaels, who traveled to the Capitol to advocate for the files’ release, wanted Bondi removed from office. However, she remains uncertain about whether Blanche will perform better. “We can only hope. But given that they worked together, I don’t have great expectations,” she said.
Robert Glassman, who represents a woman who testified as “Jane” in the 2021 criminal trial of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, noted that agency leadership changes regularly. “For victims of sexual abuse, what matters is whether the institutions meant to protect them actually do their job,” he said.
