Trump administration live updates: Bondi clashes with lawmakers; House passes SAVE America Act
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President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today, discussing nuclear talks with Iran and the Gaza peace effort.
What to know today ...
- ELECTION LEGISLATION: The House voted to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require states to get documentary proof of citizenship "in person" from someone in order to register the person to vote in federal elections. The vote was 218-213, with Republicans voting unanimously for the legislation.
- PAM BONDI HEARING: Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly clashed with Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee during her testimony at a Justice Department oversight hearing as they questioned her about the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files.
- MASSIE BLASTS REDACTIONS: In one of the many blow-ups, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., tore into Bondi over the number of redactions in the released files, including blacking out the name of billionaire Les Wexner, whom the FBI once referred to as an Epstein co-conspirator. Bondi responded by attacking Massie, who co-authored the law compelling the Justice Department to release the files, as having "Trump derangement syndrome."
- SURVIVORS ATTEND HEARING: Several times during Bondi's testimony, Democratic lawmakers asked Epstein survivors seated in the hearing room to stand up and register responses to questions about the Justice Department's handling of the files by raising their hands. In some instances, Democrats also asked Bondi to turn to the survivors and apologize. Bondi instead criticized the administrations of Joe Biden and previous presidents over their handling of the Epstein case. She repeatedly accused Democrats of focusing on the files to deflect attention from President Donald Trump's efforts to reduce crime.
- TRUMP-NETANYAHU MEETING: Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today at the White House, where they discussed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and the peace effort in Gaza.
Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump is convicted of child molestation
A Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump has been convicted of child molestation and other crimes after he tried to use an anticipated payout from the Trump administration to silence one victim, according to a Florida prosecutor’s office.
A jury found Andrew Paul Johnson, 45, guilty in Hernando County of five charges, including molesting a child under 12 and another under 16, as well as lewd and lascivious exhibition and transmitting harmful materials by electronic device to a minor, according to Walter Forgie of the Office of the State Attorney in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Florida.
Johnson faces life in prison when he is sentenced in March, the state attorney’s office said. His defense attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Trump says all Democratic governors except Wes Moore and Jared Polis are invited to White House meeting
Trump said today that he has invited the governors from both major parties — with two notable Democratic exceptions — to a traditionally bipartisan meeting at the White House next week.
An annual meeting at the White House between governors and the president — which has been scheduled for Feb. 20 — has in recent days emerged as a major source of conflict after National Governors Association officials said Trump was planning to include only Republican governors at the session.
But Trump said Wednesday afternoon on Truth Social that invitations to the meeting “were sent to ALL governors” except Democrats Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado.
“The Invitations were sent out to all other Governors, Democrat and Republican,” he wrote. He also lashed out at Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, the chair of the NGA, over the dispute, calling him a “RINO,” or Republican in name only.
Trump’s post conflicts with the latest information provided by the NGA, the bipartisan group of state executives whose business meeting with him is at the center of the controversy.
House votes to nix Trump’s tariffs on Canada
The Republican-led House voted today to terminate Trump’s tariffs on Canada as six GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in a largely symbolic rebuke of the administration’s trade policy.
The measure passed in a 219-211 vote. Only one Democrat, Jared Golden of Maine, opposed it.
The joint resolution, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., will now head to the Senate for consideration.
Trump today threatened political retribution for any Republicans who oppose his tariff policies.
House passes SAVE America Act, sending Trump-backed election bill to the Senate
The Republican-controlled House voted today to pass the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election bill that Trump is pushing Congress to enact.
The vote was 218-213, with Republicans unanimously voting in favor and all but one Democrat voting against it.
The 32-page legislation would require states to obtain documentary proof of citizenship “in person,” such as American passports or birth certificates, from people in order to register them to vote in a federal election.
The bill, which was revised from an earlier version to include new demands from Trump, would also require voters to show photo identification to cast ballots in person. And it would slap on new rules for mail-in ballots, requiring voters to submit copies of eligible IDs when they request and cast absentee ballots.
Nebraska to hand over sensitive voter data to the Justice Department
Nebraska’s Republican secretary of state will turn over sensitive information about every registered voter in the state to the U.S. Justice Department tomorrow after Nebraska’s highest court rejected a legal effort to block the move.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen told The Associated Press that the Nebraska Supreme Court denied the injunction today.
Last week, a state judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by government watchdog Common Cause, which sought to stop the release of voter information to the federal government, including dates of birth, addresses and partial Social Security numbers.
“This case threatens the unprecedented and unlawful release of highly sensitive information of every Nebraska voter,” lawyers for Common Cause wrote in a brief seeking the injunction. “Once the data is released, that bell cannot be unrung.”
Trump signs executive order at 'Champion of Coal' event to mark collaboration with Defense Department
Trump touted his support for coal at the White House this afternoon at the "Champion of Coal” event, promoting coal as a reliable and affordable source of energy in the U.S.
He signed an executive order at the event, outlining a purchasing agreement between the Defense Department and coal producers.
"Coal is also critical to our national security, vital to everything from steel production to shipbuilding and artificial intelligence," Trump said. "It's incredible what's happening with coal, and it's also incredible how clean they're able to keep it now with all of the new techniques. By using it, they're able to do things environmentally that are amazing."
Coal is considered the dirtiest fossil fuel, and it has been the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Burning fossil fuels unleashes carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the planet's atmosphere. It is the primary contributor to global warming.
Trump also said he is directing the Energy Department to issue $175 million to "coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky to keep them online and keep those plants open."
Trump said the current situation with Venezuela will help the U.S. become energy dominant.
"We have a new group of people that we're very close to, come very close to, and that's called Venezuela," Trump said. "We're taking in, in this case, oil. We had 50 million barrels of oil that we have floating right now to Houston to be refined."
He disparaged solar and wind energy, particularly criticizing Europe’s use of wind for power.
Trump was joined by Kayla Blackford, a coal miner from southern Indiana, who thanked him for his support in "recognizing the value of coal."
Jim Grech, the chairman of the National Coal Council, who also spoke, thanked Trump for the work his administration is doing to propose building new coal fuel power plants in the U.S.
Grech was joined by members of the Washington Coal Club onstage to present Trump with a trophy shaped as a coal miner that resembled him. It was inscribed with “the undisputed champion of coal.”
Democrats vying for Michigan Senate seat clash over corporate money at first forum
Democrats running to be Michigan’s next U.S. senator tangled today over who is best suited for the job, with campaign contributions from corporate political action committees emerging as a dividing line during a forum hosted by the United Auto Workers.
Responding to a question from a laborer concerned about the influence of corporate money in government, two of the three candidates — physician Abdul El-Sayed and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow — said their campaigns are not accepting such donations.
The third, Rep. Haley Stevens, whose Senate bid has been funded in part by corporate PACs representing Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Walmart and others, sidestepped the question.
Instead, Stevens focused on her desire to “end Citizens United,” the 2010 Supreme Court ruling that loosened campaign finance restrictions and has become a rallying point for Democrats. As the forum continued, a “rapid response” email circulated by Stevens’ campaign emphasized her support for “legislation to reduce the influence of big money in politics and implement anti-corruption measures.”
Senators introduce first bipartisan effort to curb utility bill hikes related to data centers
Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., today introduced the first bipartisan bill in Congress aimed at preventing data center power usage from spiking consumers’ electric bills.
The legislation, dubbed the “Guaranteeing Rate Insulation” or “GRID” Act, seeks to guarantee two things: no data-center related price increases for consumers’ utility bills as well as ensuring first priority for grid access to everyday electric users. The bill also seeks to make new data center operators power their structures via off-grid sources, with a 10-year off-ramp for existing data centers.
The legislation would also mandate that data center operators publicly disclose current and future power usage.
Florida GOP Rep. Neal Dunn won't comment on reports he'll resign
Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., today refused to comment on reports that he will soon announce he is resigning from Congress before the end of his term.
"I'm not making any comments right now," Dunn told NBC News.
If he does resign before the Georgia special election to replace Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP's already minuscule majority will shrink to 217-214. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and his leadership team have struggled to pass basic procedural votes and bills with the razor-thin majority, and Dunn's potential departure would make things worse.
Dunn, 72, said last month he would not seek re-election in 2026, saying "the time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren."
But Peter Schorsch, who runs a Florida politics site, reported that Dunn would announce next week that he is leaving Congress early, setting off a special election.
Members of the Florida delegation said today that Dunn had not informed them of his plans but that he has suffered from health issues. Johnson said he has urged Dunn to stay in Congress.
"He is a beloved member of Congress and a great man. And, you know, he’s informed us he’s not going to run for re-election, and what he does from here forward, I’m not sure," Johnson said. "But I’ve encouraged him to stay and be a part of this. And I think he wants to do that. And so you have to ask him about all the circumstances."
Energy secretary touches down in Venezuela
Energy Secretary Chris Wright touched down in Caracas today, the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Venezuela after the Trump administration ousted President Nicholas Maduro last month. U.S. officials said this trip is a first step aimed at building relations between the U.S. government and Delcy Rodriguez, the de fact leader put in place by the administration.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday. Juan Barreto / AFP - Getty Images
“We are here to build a relationship," Wright told reporters traveling with him. "To bring peace and prosperity to the Caribbean and to the United States."
“This is an attempt to transform the trajectory of a nation without troops on the ground, without bullets being fired, just through commerce," he added.
The two-day diplomatic trip will kick off with Wright meeting business representatives in Caracas. Later in the day, he will hold discussions with Rodriguez, the interim president, and other top Venezuelan officials.
This evening, Wright will have a working dinner with Rodriguez. When asked by NBC News if the U.S. government trusts Rodriguez, Wright responded, “We’re early on but the first month of the relationship has actually gone remarkably well.”
Tomorrow, Wright will visit Chevron’s oil fields and a Venezuelan oil processing facility. Trump has said “we’re in charge” in Venezuela. He has also said he wants to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry, bringing production back to benefit the United States and the people of Venezuela. But oil executives have expressed concerns about investing in infrastructure that is not secure and that could take decades to rebuild.
Trump told NBC News last month that he’s prepared to be in Venezuela for years, and he has not given а target date to hold new elections.
These meetings come at a critical moment with the United States demanding Venezuela release all its political prisoners and questions looming about Rodriguez's role. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, recently said she intends to be president one day.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin demands DOJ end of probe into video
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., sent a letter to Bondi and Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, on Tuesday, demanding she publicly declare an end to the probe into a group of six Democratic lawmakers who produced a video informing active-duty members of the military that they are not required to follow orders that are against the law.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
As NBC News first reported, DOJ prosecutors failed to convince a grand jury to indict the members of Congress — which included Slotkin — despite a push from the Trump administration.
In a letter, obtained exclusively by NBC News, Slotkin’s attorney Preet Bharara demands DOJ make it clear there is no longer a legal threat.
“The Department must immediately and publicly confirm that it has closed this baseless and retaliatory investigation,” the letter reads. “Regardless, your unprecedented abuse of power will not intimidate Senator Slotkin, who will continue to represent the people of Michigan and to stand up for the fundamental principles of our constitutional system of government.”
Last week, Slotkin sent Bondi a preservation of records request as she mulls the possibility of a lawsuit concerning potential violations of her First Amendment rights.
Slotkin made it clear during a press conference on Wednesday that she is not going to back down, despite the threats from DOJ.
“Sitting down and taking it and being quiet doesn’t actually make you safer,” Slotkin said. “Going on offense seems to be the only way to get their attention, so I certainly reserve that right of keeping all those options open.”
NBC News reached out to DOJ for comment.
Bondi hearing ends
The Bondi hearing has ended after about 5.5 hours. The hearing began at 10 a.m. ET and included a break.
Bondi says 'we have pending investigations' in Epstein case
Asked by Roy if "anyone else would be prosecuted" in relation to the Epstein case, Bondi said, "We have pending investigations in our office."
She did not elaborate or indicate who or what was being investigated.
Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the House Committee on the Judiciary during an oversight hearing, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images
In November, following an earlier release of Epstein information, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was asking Bondi, the DOJ and FBI "to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s involvement and relationship" with three prominent Democrats who'd been mentioned in the files — former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman.
None of the people Trump named in his post were accused of wrongdoing in the sex trafficking case against Epstein, and all three have denied any wrongdoing.
The social media post did not name any Republicans who were mentioned in the same release of emails. Bondi responded a few hours later on X that she was assigning the task to Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people,” Bondi wrote then.
In July of last year, the DOJ and FBI released a joint memo saying they had conducted an "exhaustive" review of the entirety of the investigative files into Epstein and determined there was no evidence to bring charges against any other third parties.
Rep. Dan Goldman asks Bondi if she'll commit to releasing unredacted version of an Epstein email
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., asked Bondi if she would commit to publicly providing the unredacted version of an Epstein email "so that the American people can understand the extent of Donald Trump's lies about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein."
"You're about as good of a lawyer today as you were when you tried to impeach President Trump in 2016," Bondi said, referring to Goldman's work assisting House Democrats on the first impeachment of Trump. "Have you apologized for that in 2019?"
"So will you unredact this?" Goldman asked.
"Privileged. Privileged," Bondi said.
"Quiet," Goldman said.
"Don't yell at me!" Bondi replied.
Bondi eventually said that DOJ would review them and said if they're not privileged, then they'll release them.
On survivors' names being accidentally left in Epstein files, Bondi says 'we did the best we could'
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, was the second Republican, other than Massie, to press Bondi about the Epstein files.
Roy said it was "troubling" and "concerning" that Epstein survivors' names were not redacted in the files released by DOJ. He asked Bondi why their names were unredacted when names of people who've been accused of being involved in Epstein's operations were redacted.
He then asked if anyone else will be indicted and prosecuted as a result of the newly released files.
"Yes, given the tight time frame of 30 days, I believe we got everything released within a little over 60 days ... We did the best we could immediately," she said.
Bondi claimed that if someone's name was redacted and shouldn't have been, DOJ is releasing it. Conversely, she said that survivors' names that were unredacted are being redacted.
Balint slams Bondi over antisemitic comment
Bondi criticized Balint for voting against a resolution to condemn the phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" as antisemitic.
Balint immediately fired back, saying, "Do you want to go there, Attorney General?"
"Do you want to go there?" she yelled. "Are you serious, talking about anti-Semitism to a woman who lost her grandfather in the Holocaust? Really? Really?"
Balint promptly left the room.
Rep. Becca Balint asks if DOJ has questioned Lutnick and other administration officials about ties to Epstein
Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., asked Bondi if the Justice Department has questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about ties to Epstein.
Balint said Lutnick's name and other members of the Trump administration appear in the Epstein files.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick arrives to testify during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing on Tuesday. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
"These men were appointed by President Trump to senior positions in his administration. All of them have clear and confirmed ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney General Bondi, yes or no, has the Justice Department asked Secretary Lutnick about his ties to Epstein?" Balint asked.
Bondi said, "Secretary Lutnick has addressed those ties himself," referring to testimony he provided Congress yesterday.
"I think Americans would be shocked to learn that you are not interested in talking with these officials who have ties to Jeffrey Epstein," Balint said after she and Bondi yelled over each other.
"Was the president aware of Secretary Lutnick's ties to Epstein when he chose him to lead the Department of Commerce?" said Balint, who also asked about other members of the administration. "I'm not asking trick questions here. The American people have a right to know the answers to this. These are senior officials and the Trump administration. This is not a game, secretary."
"I'm attorney general," Bondi said. Balint replied, "My apologies. I couldn't tell."
Rep. Deborah Ross presses Bondi on Maxwell's prison transfer
Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., pressed Bondi about Ghislaine Maxwell's transfer to a minimum security prison camp in Texas, which occurred shortly after Maxwell agreed to be interviewed by Bondi's deputy, Todd Blanche.
"Attorney General Bondi, does a convicted sex offender like Ghislaine Maxwell deserve special treatment and privileges in prison?" Ross asked. "Yes or no?"
"Let me be crystal clear on this: No," Bondi responded.
After Bondi and Ross talked over each other, the attorney general said she did not know Maxwell was being transferred.
Asked who made the decision to transfer Maxwell, Bondi said that was a question for the Bureau of Prisons and that she was not involved.
Ross also asked Bondi about Maxwell’s lawyer seeking clemency for her. Asked whether Trump should pardon Maxwell or commute her sentence, Bondi said she already answered the question. Moments earlier, she said she hoped Maxwell would die in prison.
Bondi deflects questions from Democrats by referencing crimes
Bondi has repeatedly deflected questions from Democrats during the House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Neguse questioned why Jared Wise, a Jan. 6 rioter, is now employed by the Department of Justice. Bondi confirmed that Wise is working for the DOJ. She then questioned Neguse about a specific crime incident in his district.
Bondi then asked for some of Rep. Harriet Hageman’s, R-Wyo., time to talk about “the tremendous crime” in Neguse’s district by “illegal aliens.”
Throughout the hearing, Bondi has interrupted and responded to Democrats' questions by giving answers about crimes or criminals in their districts.
McBath asks if Bondi will denounce Trump officials' statements about Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti
Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., shared her personal story about the 2012 murder of her son, Jordan Davis, at a Florida gas station.
McBath shared how the treatment of survivors and services provided to them makes a difference in the wake of such tragedies. She said that after immigrant enforcement agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, administration officials lied about what happened to them.
McBath referred to how White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called Pretti an "assassin."
"Ms. Bondi, will you denounce the statements that were made to tarnish the names of Alex Pretti and Renee Good and will you protect their names, like those attorneys back in Florida under your watch protected my son’s name?" she said.
Bondi said, "What I will say is we are looking at everything to shed light on what happened that day, and it is an ongoing and active investigation. Both of those cases, and I assure you, they will be investigated."
McBath responded, "It is your responsibility to make sure that you are following the rule of law. Those families in Minnesota, they deserve the same respect. They deserve a full investigation, which you have not even [begun] to do yet."
Rep. Joe Neguse asks Chair Jim Jordan to 'gain control of this hearing'
Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., urged Chair Jim Jordan to bring order to the hearing after another clash with Bondi.
"I think what is happening at the Department of Justice is a disgrace, Mr. Chairman, and I would urge you to gain control of this hearing," Neguse said.
Bondi has repeatedly sparred with Democrats as they have sought to reclaim their time to ask additional questions during their five-minute allotment for remarks.
Bondi hearing resumes
The House Judiciary hearing on oversight of the Justice Department has resumed after a recess for House floor votes.
Jordan defends Bondi's responses to Democrats, 'I think the attorney general is doing just fine'
Raskin said Bondi is responsible for publishing survivors’ names, addresses and other identifying information in the Epstein files, despite federal law stating that their identities were to be protected.
Bondi responded that Raskin is obsessed with Trump.
“We’ve never had a witness who has misunderstood our rules and been unable to conform his or her conduct to our rules before,” Raskin said. “We have only five minutes and so we use our time to ask you specific questions.”
Raskin said that if Bondi goes off “on a wild goose chase” or “another tangent,” then lawmakers are allowed to reclaim their time during the hearing. He said when lawmakers reclaim time, “you have to be quiet. You have no choice.”
“So I hope you understand the rule of this board,” Raskin added before continuing with his questions.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the committee hearing, defended Bondi. The committee chairman said during a previous session of Congress, former Attorney General Alejandro Mayorkas would not answer questions from the hearing, despite having the questions ahead of time in writing.
Jordan added, “I think the Attorney General is doing just fine.”
Hearing breaks for floor votes
The Judiciary Committee has recessed the hearing so that lawmakers can participate in votes on the House floor.
Bondi refuses to say whether Trump suing the IRS violates the Emoluments Clause
In his questioning of Bondi, Raskin referred to Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department for a leak of information about his tax filings to The New York Times.
The ranking member pointed out to Bondi that the Constitution's Emoluments Clause says that the president is limited to his salary in office and can't receive any other money from the federal government while in office.
Raskin noted that the president has repeatedly sued the federal government, including the suit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
"Do you think it would violate the domestic Emoluments Clause for the president to work out a deal from people or his subordinates under his unitary executive theory, to get money in one of these cases?" Raskin asked.
"I'm not going to discuss pending litigation," Bondi said.
Bondi refuses to confirm existence of domestic terrorism list, declines to commit sharing a potential list
Bondi refused to confirm whether the Department of Justice has compiled a list of groups designated as domestic terrorist organizations and declined to commit to sharing one with Congress during a contentious exchange with Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.
The exchange centered on Trump’s September memorandum directing the DOJ to identify groups whose members are engaged in acts meeting the definition of domestic terrorism.
Scanlon provided the background that in December, Bondi “directed the FBI to work with a variety of law enforcement entities to compile a list of groups and entities engaged in such acts" by January of this year and update the report every 30 days. Scanlon pressed Bondi on whether the department had prepared the list as required by the memo.
“What I will say is, I know Antifa is part of that,” Bondi responded, declining to give a direct yes-or-no answer.
When Scanlon asked if Bondi would provide the list to the committee, Bondi said, “We will comply with the law in all matters,” but refused to make a commitment. “I’m not going to commit to anything to you, because you won’t let me answer questions,” she added.
Scanlon raised concerns that she believed the administration is “keeping lists of Americans who the White House says are engaged in domestic terrorism” that could include people who haven’t committed terrorist acts but simply disagree with the administration. She noted that when the U.S. government designates foreign terrorist organizations, it must report them to Congress so entities can contest false designations.
“Your position seems to be that if you falsely designate an American or an American organization as a terrorist group, there’s nothing they can do about it,” Scanlon said.
Rep. Thomas Massie slams DOJ for redactions, including related to billionaire Les Wexner
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., slammed Bondi for her handling of the Epstein files, criticizing her for over-redacting information in some cases while accidentally releasing victims' information in others.
Massie criticized the Justice Department for initially redacting Les Wexner's information until Massie asked his name to be unredacted. The FBI once referred to Wexner as a co-conspirator.
Bondi criticized Massie, accusing him of having "Trump derangement syndrome."
Massie co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act and has been a leading voice in Congress calling for more transparency in its handling of the Epstein case.
Bondi promises to fix Epstein files redaction errors after questioning from Rep. Correa
Bondi committed to correcting any improper redactions in the Jeffrey Epstein documents during testimony before the Judiciary Committee.
The exchange came after Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., pressed Bondi on ensuring any perpetrators’ names in the Epstein files are made public while the survivors’ names that were exposed are properly redacted. Correa emphasized the importance of transparency, saying there is “no place” for such predators and that “they’re going to fry for it.”
“If any man’s name was redacted, that should not have been,” Bondi responded. “We will, of course, unredact it. If a victim’s name was unredacted, please bring it to us, and we will redact it.”
Bondi said the department faced a tight timeline to review the huge number documents. “We were given 30 days to review and redact and unredact millions of pages of documents. Our error rate is very low," she said.
Republicans focus on fraud, vaping and border security, while Democrats zero in on Epstein and Minnesota killings
There's been a marked difference between what lawmakers from each party are taking aim at in their lines of questioning in the Bondi hearing.
Republicans have focused their questions on issues like federal benefits fraud, the dangers of vaping, allegations that the Biden administration's Justice Department monitored parents at school board meetings, the Arctic Frost probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the Steele dossier and probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, journalist Don Lemon's arrest for covering an anti-ICE protest in a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, border security and crime.
Democrats, meanwhile, have zeroed in on the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files, focusing in particular on how the department chose to redact the records, as well as the investigations into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota.
Correa asks Epstein survivors to stand up and signal if they think the federal government has their backs
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., asked Epstein survivors in the hearing room to stand up and to raise their hands if they thought feds have their back.
"First, can you please stand up, and then, can you please raise your hand if you think, after everything you've heard today, you feel there are, AG, the feds have your back," Correa said. "Do we have your back? Raise your hand if you're confident that we got your back."
None of the survivors raised their hands.
"And that's the issue, Madam AG, we've got to make sure that victims stand up and report the crimes, otherwise we're going to be taking step backwards," he said.
Democratic lawmaker accuses Bondi of lying under oath
Lieu asked Bondi if there were any underage girls present at parties that Trump attended with Epstein.
Bondi responded, “This is so ridiculous, and that they are trying to deflect from all the great things Donald Trump has done. There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime, everyone knows that. This has been the most transparent presidency.”
“I believe you just lied under oath, and this is all on videotape," Lieu told Bondi after reclaiming his time. "You said there’s no evidence of a crime.” He added that Bondi has not held anyone accountable who was associated with Epstein.
“Epstein should rot in hell, so should the men who patronize his operation,” Lieu said. “And as we say here today, there are over 1,000 sex trafficking victims, and you have not held a single man accountable. Shame on you. If you had any decency, you would resign right after this hearing.”
Bondi assures Swalwell that the DOJ is investigating threats against lawmakers, including him
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., detailed the death threats that he's received and asked Bondi if the DOJ is investigating them.
"Congressman, I completely agree with you. I know about several of those personally involving you. I believe one has been charged publicly," Bondi said, adding that she would be happy to discuss the issue further with him.
"I can assure you that they are very serious, they are being looked into, and I can give you more details on those," she said. "None of you should be threatened, ever. None of your children should be threatened. None of your families should be threatened. And I will work with you. You can come into my office any day; I will work with all of you on both sides of the aisle if you are ever threatened and I would gladly talk to you after this hearing about your cases. But I can tell you some of them are very active."
Rep. Ted Lieu asks Bondi whether Trump attended parties with underage girls
Earlier in the hearing, Bondi did not answer a question from Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., about whether there were any underage girls at any parties Trump attended with Epstein.
Bondi took a pause before answering, "This is so ridiculous."
"They are trying to deflect from all the great things Donald Trump has done," she said, an accusation she repeated multiple times during the hearing. "There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime. Everyone knows that, this has been the most transparent presidency."
Lieu then accused Bondi of potentially having lied under oath, pointing to a witness who had called the FBI.
"Don't you ever accuse me of a crime," Bondi retorted.
Lieu urged the Justice Department to interview a witness who went to the FBI with allegations against Trump. According to investigative files released in December, the person reached out to the FBI in October of 2020, roughly a week before Election Day, and said he'd heard Trump make incriminating comments about "Jeffrey" back in 1995, and four years later was told by a woman that she'd been attacked by Epstein and Trump. It's unclear if the tip was followed up.
The Justice Department said in a December statement, "Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.”
“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already," the statement said.
Bondi accuses Democrats of trying to distract from border security and public safety efforts
Bondi accused Democratic lawmakers during the hearing of trying to distract from progress made by the Trump administration to address border security and crime.
"When he was elected overwhelmingly by the American people, the majority of the American people wanted Donald Trump, one of the main reasons was border security and keeping Americans safe," she said.
"That's why today, the other side sits here, they yell, cut me off," she continued. "They want to yell. They want to ask a question, and don't want answers, because they want to distract from all the great things that this president and this administration working hand in hand — and that includes Secretary Noem, who has closed our border and Tom Homan, who has closed our borders to keep America safe, and they're trying to distract from that."
Bondi tells Johnson 'Your time is up' when asked to apologize to Epstein survivors
Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., reiterated Jayapal's request that Bondi apologize to Epstein survivors. He pointed out how some survivor information was left unredacted in the release of new documents.
"Representative Jayapal asked a simple question, if you would be so kind and honorable as to turn around and face them and apologize to them for outing them," Johnson said.
"How many lives have been derailed because your department was either sloppy and incompetent or willfully trying to intimidate and punish these ladies?" he added as he was cut off by a gavel.
"Your time is up," Bondi replied.
Bondi's sparring with Democratic lawmakers during congressional hearings is nothing new
Bondi has been fighting with Democratic lawmakers during congressional hearings since she became attorney general last year.
She performed the same way in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October.
In response to Bondi during the current hearing, Lofgren said, “Without responding to a question, she has attacked me personally. I think it’s pathetic that she can’t answer the question."
Lofgren was noting that the credibility of the DOJ has been damaged after seeing potential co-conspirators’ names redacted in the Epstein files and because of the department's handling of investigations into the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota by immigration agents.
Lofgren asks Bondi about New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch
Rep. Zoe Lofgren asked Bondi whether there should be further investigation into whether Steve Tisch, the co-owner of the New York Giants, was involved in any criminal conduct.
Bondi said she would not "play a yes-no game," adding that she would investigate any case with any victim.
Bondi briefly clashed with Lofgren as the congresswoman tried to reclaim her time.
After documents were released, Tisch said that he and Epstein had a “brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments.” He said he regretted associating with Epstein and never visited his island.
Bondi tells lawmakers to apologize to Trump for impeachments
Bondi urged lawmakers to apologize to Trump for taking part in impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.
She slammed Nadler in particular for his question, asking him whether he's apologized to Trump.
"You all should be apologizing," she said. "You sit here, and you attack the president, and I am not going to have it."
Shortly after, she criticized Democrats for focusing on Epstein.
"They are talking about Epstein today," she said. "This has been around since the Obama administration. This administration released over 3 million pages of documents."
She added that it was Trump who signed the law to release the documents, calling him "the most transparent president."
Shortly after, she pivoted to talking about the stock market, saying, "That's what we should be talking about." She called the Dow Jones Industrial Average "crazy," pointed to median rents, adding, "That's why they want to focus on Epstein."
Bondi gets into heated exchange with Nadler and Raskin
Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., asked Bondi how many of Epstein's co-conspirators she indicted.
"How many perpetrators are you even investigating?" Nadler asked. "How many have you indicted?"
"Excuse me, I'm going to answer the question," Bondi said.
Nadler responded, "Answer my question."
"No, I'm going to answer the question way I want to answer the question," Bondi said. "Your theatrics are ridiculous ... Chairman Jordan, I'm not going to get into the gutter with these people."
Bondi and Nadler then yelled over each other, and Raskin asked Jordan to stop the clock so Nadler could reclaim his time.
"Reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time," Nadler said.
Raskin said, "You can filibuster all day long, but not on our watch, not on our time. No way. I told you about that, attorney general, before you started."
Bondi and Jayapal clash after congresswoman calls on Bondi to apologize
Bondi clashed with Jayapal when the congresswoman asked the attorney general to apologize to Epstein survivors for the administration's handling of the case.
Bondi initially pivoted to criticizing former Attorney General Merrick Garland, who served during the Biden administration, before Jayapal tried to cut her off to try to redirect her to the apology question.
Bondi said that Jayapal "didn't like the answer," pivoting again to talking about Garland.
"I'm not gonna get in the gutter for her theatrics," Bondi said as Jayapal tried to reclaim her time. The two talked over each other as Bondi accused Jayapal of "theatrics" and Jayapal tried to redirect Bondi to the question.
Bondi ultimately did not apologize.
Jayapal calls on Epstein survivors who haven't had a chance to meet with the DOJ to stand up, raise hands
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called on Epstein survivors who were in the hearing room to stand up and raise their hands to show who hasn't had the opportunity to meet with DOJ.
"The survivors in the room, if you are willing, please stand, and if you are willing, please raise your hands if you have still not been able to meet with this Department of Justice," Jayapal said.
"Please know for the record that every single survivor has raised their hand," she said.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein stand as Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies today. Win McNamee / Getty Images
Jayapal then asked Bondi to apologize to the Epstein survivors. The Democratic lawmaker blasted Bondi in her line of questioning for the DOJ's failure to redact survivors' names in the Epstein files, which she said is in violation of the law.
"We have blurred the names of the survivors for their protection, but your Department of Justice initially released this list of 32 survivors names with only one name redacted, along with numerous files that disclose not only the names, the emails and the addresses of survivors, but also nude photographs and even the identities of Jane Doe, who had been protected for decades until your department released their names," Jayapal said.
No grand jurors found the Trump DOJ met low probable cause threshold in failed indictment of Democratic lawmakers
None of the D.C. grand jurors who heard the Trump administration’s pitch on why they should indict Democratic lawmakers over a video urging members of the military and intelligence communities to uphold their oaths believed the Justice Department had met the low threshold of probable cause, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News.
It’s exceedingly rare for a federal grand jury to reject prosecutors’ attempts to secure an indictment, since the process is stacked in the government’s favor. Federal grand juries need a minimum of 16 members to have a quorum, and they max out at 23 members. Just 12 grand jurors need to agree that the government had probable cause to indict, a threshold much lower than the unanimous “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that a petit jury needs to convict.
In 2016, the Justice Department investigated more than 151,000 suspects, but grand juries returned just six “no bills,” per DOJ statistics. The vast majority of assistant U.S. attorneys will go their entire careers without being rejected by a grand jury like this. As NBC News previously reported, the lawyers who attempted to bring the case are political appointees, not career prosecutors.
It’s unclear if the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro will push forward and try to indict the Democratic members again.
Bondi addresses Epstein files
Bondi addressed the Epstein files and defended the administration's handling of the case.
She said that when people brought up names of survivors that were inadvertently released, they were then redacted.
She acknowledged the Epstein survivors, saying she has spent her "entire career fighting for victims," adding she would continue.
"I am deeply sorry for what any victim, any victim, has been through, especially as a result of that monster," she said.
She said that the FBI is waiting to hear from people who have information about anyone who hurt them. She said any accusations of criminal wrongdoing would be investigated.
Bondi starts opening statement by touting lower crime stats
Bondi began her opening statement by touting a decrease in crime under her leadership at the DOJ.
"After years of bloated bureaucracy and political weaponization, Department of Justice’s core mission is to fight violent crime, protect the American people and defend the rule of law above all else. While our work is never done, we have made tremendous progress to make America safe again," she said.
Bondi said that 2025 had the lowest murder rate in 125 years.
"That’s nothing short of historic," she said.
She said comparing 2025 to 2024, "The murder rate is down 21%, robbery down 23%, carjacking down 43%, gun assault down 22%, assault, burglary could go on and on. Crime is declining," she said. "President Trump has given us the resources, the support and the leadership to protect the American people. President Trump’s policies have saved lives. I cannot think of a policy outcome more important than protecting the lives of American citizens."
Raskin criticizes having five minutes of questions per member
Raskin, the top Democrat on the committee, said he asked Jordan for extra rounds of questions, but was stuck with five minutes per member.
He criticized five minutes as not sufficient.
"Please do not waste one second of our precious time by evading questions, by changing the subject, or engaging in personal attacks against members of Congress," Raskin said to Bondi.
Raskin lashes out at Bondi over DOJ efforts to prosecute Trump political foes
Raskin also spent a large portion of his opening statement denouncing the DOJ's efforts to prosecute and investigate political enemies of Trump.
"You've turned the people's Department of Justice into Trump's instrument of revenge," Raskin said.
"Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza and you deliver every time he tells you to go after James Comey, Letitia James, Lisa Cook and Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve Board, and members of Congress," he said.
Raskin name-checked Lindsey Halligan, the former Trump personal attorney, Bondi named U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia at the president's behest after her predecessor found there wasn't enough evidence to charge Comey and James. Trump had demanded publicly that the former FBI director and New York attorney general be prosecuted, and Halligan secured indictments against both, which were dismissed after a judge found Halligan's appointment was unlawful.
"You replace real prosecutors with counterfeit stooges who robotically do the president's bidding. Nothing in American history comes close to this complete corruption of the justice function and contamination of federal law enforcement," he added.
Raskin opens with the names of Epstein survivors
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, began his opening statement by naming the survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking operation.
"To promote justice for the people, you've got to listen to the victims like the women seated behind you today. Those are just some of the hundreds of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's global sex trafficking ring who are demanding that the truth be told. They're demanding accountability for the abusers who trafficked and raped them," Raskin said.
The Democrat said that Bondi hasn't met yet with survivors.
"So with their permission, let me introduce to you the survivors and late survivors family members who are present today," Raskin said, before naming many victims.
Raskin slammed Bondi for the Justice Department's failure to redact survivors' names in the recently released documents.
"Some of the victims had come forward publicly, but many had not. Many had kept their torment private, even from family and friends, but you published their names, their identities, their images on thousands of pages for the world to see," he said.
Jordan does not discuss Epstein files in opening remarks
Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, used his opening statement to slam sanctuary jurisdictions, arguing that sanctuary policies ultimately endangered communities.
He did not discuss the Epstein files, which are expected to be a major topic during the hearing.
Jordan pivoted to criticizing the Biden administration and "lawfare." He praised Bondi for having returned the Justice Department to its "core missions." He touted the department for working to expose the "political nature" of issues like former special counsel Jack Smith's investigations into Trump, which Smith has denied.
Hearing kicks off featuring Bondi
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has gaveled in the hearing with Pam Bondi, which is expected to last several hours.
Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives at the hearing . Tom Brenner / AP
Sky Roberts, Virginia Giuffre's brother, says Trump administration's handling of Epstein case is a 'failure'
Sky Roberts, the brother of Virginia Giuffre, said during a news conference ahead of Pam Bondi's upcoming testimony before the House Judiciary Committee that the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case has been a "failure."
Flanked by abuse survivors and Democratic members of Congress, Roberts criticized how the names of certain powerful people were redacted in the files, while some information about survivors was left unredacted.
Roberts said the Epstein case has been "mismanaged" across administrations, agencies and years, and called on Bondi to "do your job" in handling the release of the files.
Iran rules out broader U.S. talks as Trump hints at sending 2nd carrier
Iran insisted today that it was willing to negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program, but ruled out broader talks at a pivotal moment in diplomacy between Washington and Tehran.
Trump has pursued the talks alongside ratcheting up threats, and suggested he could send another aircraft carrier group to the Middle East.
Trump was set to meet with Israel's prime minister later today, with the U.S. ally expected to push for Tehran’s ballistic missile arsenal to be included in any deal.
Iranian leaders have sought to make clear they view this as a red line.
Schumer says Democrats will not support short-term spending measure for DHS without ICE reforms
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., posted on X this morning that Democrats will not support a short-term spending measure, known as a continuing resolution, to extend current Department of Homeland Security spending levels and prevent the department from shutting down this weekend after funding runs out.
“Democrats will not support a CR to extend the status quo,” Schumer wrote on X, adding that Republicans have “not gotten serious about negotiating a solution that reins in ICE and stops the violence.”
J.P. Cooney, ex-Trump prosecutor in Jack Smith’s office, is running for Congress
A former deputy to ex-special counsel Jack Smith, J.P. Cooney, announced thismorning that he is launching a congressional bid in Virginia.
“I don’t want my children, friends, or community to have any doubt about where I stand in this moment,” Cooney said in a post on LinkedIn. “Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Congress in Virginia’s proposed new Seventh District.”
Cooney shared an article from The New York Times, which first reported his election bid, and said he was running as a Democrat.
In his time working with Smith, Cooney served as “a lead prosecutor in both criminal prosecutions of President Trump for obstruction of justice and conspiracy,” his LinkedIn account says, referring to the federal indictments of the then-former president on charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Bondi to testify before lawmakers
Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee this morning.
Lawmakers are likely to press her on top issues involving the Justice Department, including the failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers over a video they appeared in telling members of the military and intelligence community not to comply with illegal orders and the department's handling of the Epstein files.
The department recently released millions more pages of documents related to Epstein, but critics are urging more transparency in releasing additional documents and uncovering certain redactions.
There are 44 lawmakers on the committee, and each member will receive five minutes for questions.
Survivors of Epstein are also expected to attend the hearing.
Police chief: Trump called about Epstein in 2006
In newly released documents from the Epstein files, it was revealed that a former Palm Beach police chief said Trump called him two decades ago to warn about Epstein. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson reports.
Poll: Americans support ICE overhaul amid federal funding fight
A sizable majority of Americans want significant changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement — but while they largely disapprove of ICE and say its tactics have gone too far, the country is divided over just how much to reform the agency and how to handle immigration policy broadly, according to a new survey.
The new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey finds nearly 3 in 4 U.S. adults support some changes to ICE, with 29% saying it should be abolished outright. Approval of Trump’s sweeping deportation policies dropped steeply after federal agents killed two Americans last month in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, Congress is debating federal funding for the agency, and a potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security looms at the end of the week, with congressional Democrats taking issue with agents’ tactics, clashes with protesters and questions surrounding due process for the targets of immigration enforcement.
Poll: Trump’s ratings on immigration tumble as Americans lose confidence in his top issue
Support for Trump’s immigration agenda is in free fall in early 2026 after federal immigration agents shot and killed two Americans last month, according to the new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey.
The administration’s aggressive tactics and deportation goals have dragged down Americans’ views of Trump on the very issue that helped sweep him into office, the survey shows.
Immigration and border security had long stood out as a strength for Trump in polls, both as he ran for a second term in 2024 and in the first year of his new administration. Now, Trump’s ratings on the issue have sunk to the same level as his overall job approval rating.
Netanyahu will meet with Trump today about Iran talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Trump at the White House today about U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
“The prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,” Netanyahu’s office said in a brief statement over the weekend, referring to Tehran’s support for militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Trump and Netanyahu last met in December.
