Bondi distances herself from 'botched' release of Epstein files | First Thing
Former attorney general says expected replacement, Todd Blanche, was in charge of controversial process. Plus: why are US consumers so angry? Donโt already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Good morning. Appearing before the House oversight and reform committee, the former attorney general Pam Bondi told lawmakers that Todd Blanche, the man Donald Trump has lined up to replace her, was โin chargeโ of the US Department of Justiceโs controversial handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. She also said she was โnot certain of the extentโ that Trump knew about the crimes of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell before they became public. In her opening statement, Bondi defended the justice departmentโs handling of the records under her leadership and tried to distance herself from the release and review of the files, saying she did not โlead every aspectโ of the DoJโs effort, but that it was Blanche who oversaw it. If formally nominated by Trump to be attorney general on a permanent basis, Blanche would require confirmation from the US Senate. Why is the release of the files under scrutiny? Several lawmakers as well as survivors of Epsteinโs abuse, have criticized some of the departmentโs actions and raised concerns over certain redactions and the disclosure of sensitive personal information in the files. Bondi acknowledged โthere were redaction errorsโ in the release, but added: โSince day one of this process, this department has been committed to accountability and transparency.โ What are the latest developments in Ukraine? In his first public letter to Vladimir Putin since the 2022 invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for face-to-face negotiations. Acknowledging shifting US priorities while Washington remained focused on the Iran war, the Ukrainian president said it would be wrong to simply wait for the Trump administration to step in. The proposal comes as Ukraine regains some battlefield leverage through improved long-range strike capabilities, even as Moscow intensifies its deadly aerial campaign across the country. Continue reading...