Democrats stage walkout during Epstein briefing, call it 'fake hearing'

2026-03-19 - 06:59

Format triggers backlash Representatives Robert Garcia and Yassamin Ansari led criticism of the briefing's structure, which was conducted behind closed doors without recordings or sworn testimony. Ansari told reporters the session "bore no resemblance to a legitimate congressional hearing," noting that lawmakers received only three minutes each for questions without opening statements from either official. Subpoena dispute Garcia said he repeatedly asked Bondi whether she would comply with a congressional subpoena requiring her to appear publicly, under oath and on the record, and that she refused each time. "This has been completely set up in a way that's been irresponsible," Garcia stated, describing the encounter as "some kind of fake hearing." Ansari added that Bondi's refusal to commit to formal testimony made officials "look even more guilty of a cover-up." Walkout sparked by remark The Democratic exit was ultimately triggered when House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer allegedly made a derogatory comment toward a Democratic member after she inquired about enforcing the subpoena against Bondi. Democrats said they had "had it" and left en masse. Comer later criticized the walkout, claiming Democrats had the opportunity to ask questions but "didn't ask a single pertinent" one. Epstein case background The briefing concerned the Justice Department's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein had previously received a controversial plea deal in Florida in 2008, pleading guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in what critics have long called a "sweetheart deal."