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Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

May 29, 2026

Bondi Testifies on Epstein Files, Blames Blanche for Redaction Errors

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee on May 29, 2026 for a closed-door transcribed interview on the DOJ's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Bondi defended the administration's record, acknowledged "redaction errors," and deflected blame to then-Deputy AG Todd Blanche, saying she had delegated oversight of the document review to him. Democrats fumed over the format — the interview was unsworn, not filmed, and conducted behind closed doors, with DOJ attorneys intervening to block questions about Bondi's conversations with President Trump. Ranking Member Robert Garcia called it "a cover-up" and announced plans to subpoena Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. Chairman James Comer said he still wants all remaining documents released. The testimony came after months of standoffs: Bondi initially defied a congressional subpoena, then agreed to the interview only on the administration's terms. Democrats argued that having DOJ lawyers present and blocking questions about Trump made the session effectively meaningless.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's $1.8B 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund Payouts

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema (E.D. Va., Clinton appointee) issued a temporary injunction on May 29, 2026 blocking the Justice Department from transferring money to, accepting claims for, or disbursing any funds from the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" created by the Trump DOJ. A hearing to decide whether to extend the block is scheduled for June 12, 2026. The fund, announced by then-Acting AG Todd Blanche in mid-May 2026, was created to compensate people the administration claimed were targeted by the Biden DOJ — including many January 6 defendants who had assaulted law enforcement. It drew immediate and unusually fierce bipartisan backlash in Congress, with Republican senators including Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, and Ted Cruz joining Democrats in condemning it as a "slush fund" to pay "cop beaters." Cruz described a closed Senate briefing with Blanche as one of the "roughest meetings" of his Senate tenure, with "at least half" of Republicans "blasting the attorney general." The court ruling was welcomed by Democrats who called it a critical check on what they described as an unprecedented abuse of taxpayer funds. The DOJ said it was "extremely confident in the legality" of the fund and vowed to fight the injunction.

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Commerce Secretary Lutnick Testifies Before House Oversight on Epstein Ties

On May 6, 2026, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — the highest-ranking Trump cabinet member named in the Epstein files outside the president himself — appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door, four-plus-hour transcribed interview about his evolving account of his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick appeared voluntarily and admitted to a 2012 family lunch on Epstein's private island, contradicting his earlier claim that he had cut ties in 2005. Democrats called him a liar and demanded his resignation; GOP Chairman Comer said Lutnick was "very transparent" but also conceded he "wasn't 100% truthful."

Fired AG Bondi Agrees to House Oversight Interview on Epstein Files

On April 29, 2026, the House Oversight Committee announced that former Attorney General Pam Bondi has agreed to sit for a transcribed interview on May 29 as part of the committee's investigation into the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The agreement comes after months of conflict: Bondi had been subpoenaed for a deposition, skipped the scheduled appearance, and Democrats had introduced a contempt resolution. The format changed from a sworn deposition to a transcribed interview — meaning Bondi will not be under oath, but will be reminded at the start that making false statements to Congress is subject to criminal prosecution. Bondi was fired as Attorney General in early April 2026 amid criticism that she had over-redacted and withheld Epstein-related documents required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Democratic and Republican lawmakers had pushed for her testimony even after her ouster. House Republicans scheduled the May 29 date without initially informing Democratic members of the committee, drawing complaints from Democrats.

DOJ Inspector General Launches Audit of Epstein Files Release Compliance

On April 23, 2026, the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General announced it is launching an audit to evaluate the DOJ's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law passed in November 2025 that requires full disclosure of department files related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Deputy Inspector General William Blier said the preliminary objective is to "evaluate the DOJ's processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act." The audit follows months of complaints from lawmakers — including Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who co-led the transparency act — that the DOJ has over-redacted and withheld material. Victims have also said sloppy redactions exposed their identities, while critics allege information damaging to President Trump has been withheld. The audit launches under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, following the earlier ouster of AG Pam Bondi. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Jeff Merkley, and Dick Durbin, among others, had written in December 2025 urging the OIG to conduct an independent review.

DOJ Indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on Federal Fraud Charges

A federal grand jury on April 21, 2026 returned an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights nonprofit with six counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statements to a federally insured bank, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Justice Department alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donor funds to confidential informants associated with violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the National Socialist Movement. Prosecutors say the organization used shell bank accounts under names like "Fox Photography" and "Rare Books Warehouse" to conceal the payments. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the SPLC was "manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose." The SPLC denied the allegations and vowed to defend itself, saying its informant program saved lives. Democrats characterized the indictment as politically motivated, while congressional Republicans backed the prosecution.

Pam Bondi Refuses Congressional Deposition on Epstein Files

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi failed to appear for her April 14, 2026 deposition before the House Oversight Committee, defying a bipartisan subpoena to testify on the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. The DOJ argued the subpoena is moot because Bondi was fired on April 2 and no longer holds the office. Lawmakers from both parties disagree — the subpoena named Bondi personally, not by title. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) is pursuing contempt charges, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) pressed Chairman Comer to enforce the subpoena, and Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) moved to hold Bondi in contempt. Comer told reporters "we'll talk about it."

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Apr 2, 2026

Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi

President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2, 2026, after growing frustrated with her handling of the Epstein files and her failure to aggressively prosecute his political opponents. Deputy AG Todd Blanche was installed as acting AG, with EPA administrator Lee Zeldin under consideration as a permanent replacement.

DOJ Misses Deadline on Epstein Files, Less Than 1% Released

Despite the Epstein Files Transparency Act passing the House 427-1 and the Senate by unanimous consent, the Department of Justice has released less than 1% of documents one month past the December 19 deadline. Reps. Khanna and Massie, who drafted the law, say DOJ is in "flagrant violation" and sought appointment of a special master. Victims' advocates note that alleged abusers' names are redacted while survivors' identifying details remain visible.

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