Contentious Senate Hearing Erupts as Whitehouse Presses AG Bondi on Missing FBI Cash, Epstein Files, and DOJ Secrecy

A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing turned tense on Tuesday as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse repeatedly pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi for answers about a series of unresolved questions involving a past FBI undercover payment, the handling of Jeffrey Epstein–related evidence, and potential prosecutorial misconduct.

Throughout the exchange, Bondi declined to provide direct responses, repeatedly referring Whitehouse to the FBI or to DOJ officials, prompting the senator to accuse her of evading basic, factual inquiries.

$50,000 FBI Payment at Center of Heated Exchange

The confrontation began when Sen. Whitehouse asked about a past FBI undercover payment—$50,000 allegedly delivered in a paper bag to an individual named Homan.

Bondi responded by citing a previous internal review:

“Agents and prosecutors found no credible evidence of wrongdoing.”

Whitehouse pushed back:

“That was not my question. What became of the $50,000? Did the FBI recover it? Did Homan keep it?”

Bondi continued to redirect:

“You’re welcome to talk to the FBI.”

Frustration grew as the senator attempted to pin down even the most basic details, including whether the payment was ever reported on tax returns. Bondi refused to answer, prompting Whitehouse to characterize her responses as “far-right internet talking points” disconnected from the substance of his inquiry.

DOJ Misconduct Inquiry Stonewalled

Whitehouse then questioned Bondi about a reported Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigation involving a DOJ employee, Bovee, tied to the Homan transaction.

Bondi refused to confirm whether an OPR investigation existed, insisting:

“I’m not going to discuss personnel matters.”

Whitehouse countered that OPR investigations are routinely acknowledged publicly, but Bondi still declined.

Kash Patel Testimony: Sealed or Not?

The senator next raised conflicting statements from FBI Director Kash Patel, who previously told the committee that his grand jury testimony—given after he received immunity—had been “sealed by the Department of Justice.”

Whitehouse asked:

“Was it sealed, and if so, by whom?”

Again, Bondi refused:

“I’m not going to discuss that with you.”

When Whitehouse noted that Patel claimed the DOJ itself released his transcript publicly, Bondi replied only that she would “get a copy” if it had in fact been released.

Epstein Suspicious Activity Reports: Zero Answers

Whitehouse shifted to the Treasury Department’s hundreds of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s financial accounts—documents typically used to flag potentially illicit transactions.

He asked how many SARs the DOJ or FBI had reviewed under Bondi’s leadership.

Bondi did not provide a number.
Instead, she pivoted to political counterattacks involving donor affiliations, prompting Whitehouse to reiterate the underlying issue:

“Some people would deduce from the fact that they’re called suspicious activity reports that there might be suspicious activity. Yet you seem to have looked at zero.”

Questions About Reported Photos of Trump and Young Women

Whitehouse next referenced public reporting that Epstein had shown witnesses photos of Donald Trump with young women. He asked whether the FBI located such images during searches of Epstein’s properties.

Bondi dismissed the line of questioning as an attempt to “slander President Trump,” again refusing to confirm or deny whether such materials were found.

Threats Against Federal Judges: A Rare Straight Answer

Finally, Whitehouse asked whether the U.S. Marshals Service was being allowed to investigate possible orchestrated threats against federal judges, rather than focusing solely on individual perpetrators.

As his allotted time expired, Bondi requested permission to answer. She then offered her only direct commitment of the hearing:

“We take threats very seriously. I will set a meeting with you and Director Siralter of the U.S. Marshals. We will talk about any threats on federal judges.”

The exchange was the first moment of cooperation in an otherwise adversarial session.

A Hearing Marked by Evasion and Escalation

The hearing highlighted a widening rift between lawmakers seeking transparency and a Justice Department resisting disclosure on multiple fronts—from undercover operations to the handling of Epstein-related evidence and internal misconduct reviews.

Whitehouse left the committee room with few answers but promised formal follow-up requests.

Bondi, for her part, maintained that ongoing litigation and internal policies prevented her from addressing many of the senator’s questions.

The result was a hearing heavy on conflict—and light on clarity.