Pam Bondi Stands Firm Amid Epstein Fallout: “I’ll Serve As Long As Trump Wants Me”

Attorney General Pam Bondi pushed back against growing criticism Tuesday during a tense press conference, vowing to stay in her role as long as President Donald Trump desires, despite mounting pressure over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Fielding a question from a reporter about her future in the administration amid public outrage and demands for reform, Bondi responded with characteristic resolve.

“I’m going to be here for as long as the president wants me here,” Bondi said. “And I believe he’s made that crystal clear—it’s four years. Well, three and a half now—we’re six months in. Though some days, it feels like six years,” she added, half-jokingly.

Bondi also emphasized that her focus remains on pressing national concerns. “I was with Director Patel this morning, and we’re laser-focused on fighting violent crime, stopping drug trafficking, and doing everything we can to make America safer,” she said.

Bondi, who served as Florida’s Attorney General before joining the Trump administration, has long been outspoken about the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. “I was dealing with the early waves of fentanyl back when I was in Florida,” she said. “Now, with the cartels exploiting every opportunity they can, we’re seeing it pour back in. The border policies have curbed some of it, but we know what’s still getting through—and we’re going to catch them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

Amid calls for transparency regarding the long-scrutinized Epstein case, Bondi declined to speculate on matters still bound by court orders but made clear she is committed to legal integrity and due process.

Her comments come amid a resurgence of public interest in the Epstein scandal, especially surrounding speculation over a so-called “client list” allegedly containing the names of powerful figures who may have been involved in illegal activity. Alan Dershowitz, a former attorney for Epstein, appeared on NewsNation earlier this week to dispute those claims.

“There’s no client list,” Dershowitz told host Chris Cuomo. “That term suggests Epstein kept a record of people he trafficked women to. That’s simply not the case.”

Dershowitz explained that what exists is a series of redacted FBI affidavits that contain accusations from multiple individuals. According to him, the blacked-out names are part of an effort by federal judges to protect the identities of those identified by accusers, some of whom may never have been charged or even investigated.

“As Epstein’s lawyer, I saw the materials,” Dershowitz admitted. “And I can tell you, while some of the names are recognizable, none of them are currently serving in public office. A few held office in the past. Some are deceased. But there’s no hidden list being concealed by the Justice Department or the Trump administration.”

He further clarified that the suppression of information isn’t political, but judicial.

“The redactions were not done by Bondi or Trump. They were done by two judges in Manhattan,” Dershowitz explained. “These judges have determined that the names should remain sealed to protect the privacy of the accusers, who they consider to be victims—regardless of whether those claims have been proven in court.”

When Cuomo pressed him on whether the Trump administration had the authority to release more information, Dershowitz was unequivocal.

“Not to my knowledge,” he said. “The information is under judicial seal. If someone wants it unsealed, they’d have to go through the courts. But this isn’t something Pam Bondi or the president can simply decide to make public.”

Bondi, for her part, made no direct comment on Dershowitz’s claims but reaffirmed that the Justice Department under her leadership would respect all legal boundaries.

“We don’t get to pick and choose what’s public. The courts make those decisions,” Bondi said. “Our job is to enforce the law and protect the integrity of the justice system. That’s what we’re focused on.”

As she continues to serve amid political headwinds and heightened scrutiny, Bondi remains resolute. With her tenure now linked closely to Trump’s second term, her message to critics was clear: she’s not stepping aside anytime soon.

“This job isn’t about politics,” Bondi concluded. “It’s about justice, and that’s what I came here to do.