Fiery Clash in Congress: Ted Lieu Accuses Attorney General Pam Bondi of Lying Under Oath Over Epstein Files
Washington, D.C. – February 2026 – A routine oversight hearing on the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files erupted into a heated confrontation when Rep. Ted Lieu (D-California) directly accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of committing perjury during her testimony.
The tense exchange occurred during a House Judiciary Committee hearing examining how the DOJ has processed and released millions of pages, photos, and videos from the Epstein case. When questioned about evidence involving President Donald Trump, Bondi stated unequivocally:
“There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime.”
Rep. Lieu immediately pushed back. He played an archival video showing Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump socializing at a party decades ago. Lieu then referenced witness statements in the released Epstein files — including one submitted to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center — in which an individual claimed to have met a girl who alleged she was raped by Trump and Epstein.
Lieu declared:
“I believe you just lied under oath. There is ample evidence in the Epstein files.”
Bondi reacted sharply, firing back:
“Don’t you ever accuse me of committing a crime!”
The exchange grew chaotic, forcing Chairman Jim Jordan to intervene and restore order. Lieu continued his criticism, accusing Bondi of failing to investigate key leads, not interviewing witnesses, and protecting powerful individuals. He concluded by saying, “Shame on you. If you had any decency, you would resign right after this hearing.”
Reactions and Aftermath
Democrats, led by Lieu and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-New York), argued that Bondi’s testimony was false and misleading, especially given multiple mentions of Trump in the files and uninvestigated witness allegations. On February 25, 2026, Lieu and Goldman formally sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche demanding the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Bondi for perjury.
Republicans and Bondi’s supporters dismissed the confrontation as political theater designed to distract from the Trump administration’s achievements. They emphasized that while Trump’s name appears in the files, there is no credible evidence linking him to criminal sexual misconduct in the Epstein case. Bondi has maintained that the DOJ is reviewing all materials thoroughly, including potentially fabricated documents.
Why It Matters
The dramatic showdown has dominated headlines and social media, highlighting the deep partisan divide over the Epstein files — one of the most sensitive and high-profile cases in recent U.S. history. It raises ongoing questions about transparency, accountability, and whether the Justice Department is treating all leads equally, regardless of political connections.
As of now, the DOJ has not commented on the call for a special counsel, and the full scope of the released Epstein materials continues to fuel public debate.
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