Bondi promised Epstein’s client list. Then it fell apart and now MAGA is turning on her | Opinion
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing intense criticism for failing to stand up her promises on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged client list, and it could be her downfall.
Much of this is Bondi’s own fault. Earlier this year, Bondi vowed to release the list, telling Fox News on Feb. 21, “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review” — a reference to the long-awaited and much-speculated-about list of powerful figures connected to the late disgraced financier.
But after months of investigation, the Department of Justice and the FBI said there is no such list. A memo released earlier this week bearing the logos of both agencies stated that a “systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’” Nor did they find credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed people or any evidence that he was murdered in jail, rather than killing himself — claims that have been feeding the controversy around the Epstein case.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, has now found herself the focus of MAGA outrage over the Epstein case. That’s quite a turnaround considering the case — much of which was based in Florida — helped elevate her profile as the face of Trump’s DOJ. Now it’s become a political albatross around her neck.
For months, Bondi has publicly promoted the idea that she would release the Epstein files and the list to the public.
In February, she distributed white binders labeled “Epstein Files: Phase 1” to a group of Trump-allied influencers, a move that seemed to signal the start of a long-promised reckoning. But it quickly became clear that the binders contained little new information. It was a far cry from the bombshell people were hoping for.
Instead of backing away from the narrative, Bondi went further, falsely blaming the FBI for withholding information. In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Bondi wrote, “I repeatedly questioned whether this was the full set of documents.”
Days later, Bondi went on Fox News’ Hannity and said that she had received a “truckload” of Epstein files.
She also pointed fingers at the Biden administration, accusing it of sitting on Epstein information and vowing that things would be different under her direction and President Donald Trump. “And it’s a new day. It’s a new administration, and everything’s going to come out to the public. The public has the right to know, Americans have a right to know,” Bondi told Sean Hannity on Fox News in March.
Bondi has positioned herself — and others — as transparency advocates who would finally deliver justice where others had failed. But the DOJ and FBI’s own review has undermined that narrative.
Her fall has been rough. MAGA influencers who once cheered her on are now calling for her to resign or be fired. MAGA influencer Laura Loomer wrote on X, “Please join me in calling for Blondi to RESIGN!”
The irony is glaring. Bondi claimed the Biden administration was hiding Epstein secrets. Now, she’s being accused of misleading the public by over-promising and under-delivering. What began for Bondi as potential signature achievement has become a career-threatening misstep.
By putting narrative over truth — a hallmark of Trump-era politics — Bondi fanned the flames of conspiracy theories for political gain. When the facts failed to support her claims, she found herself held hostage by the truth.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM.