Attorney General Pam Bondi was notably absent from a key anti-trafficking event on Wednesday after suffering a sudden medical issue. The Summit Against Human Trafficking, held at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), expected Bondi to deliver a significant speech when Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti announced her withdrawal. Citing a medical emergency, specifically a torn cornea, Bondi expressed regret for her absence through a statement read by Galeotti.
The announcement at CPAC took place against the backdrop of a burgeoning controversy involving Bondi and President Trump. Just hours prior, reports emerged that Bondi had briefed Trump about his frequent mentions in sealed documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This briefing, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on the same day, contradicted the president's past statements about his knowledge of the contents of the Epstein files.
The Department of Justice remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Bondi's medical condition and her expected recovery period. Meanwhile, the sudden nature of Bondi's departure prompted a mixed reaction from attendees, with some showing support through applause and others choosing to leave the event upon the news.
The context of Bondi's absence gains additional layers of complexity given her central role in recent disclosures regarding Epstein. The Wall Street Journal's report detailed how Bondi, in May, warned President Trump about the increasing frequency of his name in the Epstein documents. She advised caution regarding further public releases due to the presence of unverified allegations, child pornography, and sensitive victim information.
President Trump, when asked about the briefing on July 15, denied any significant discussions concerning the Epstein files, labeling the meeting "just a very quick briefing" and accusing former FBI Director James Comey of fabricating the file contents. Trump's Communications Director Steven Cheung later denounced the Wall Street Journal's reporting as baseless, likening it to the debunked "Obama Russiagate scandal."
However, the Journal's findings were corroborated by several senior officials who confirmed that Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche briefed Trump during what was described as a routine meeting. Bondi reportedly underscored the necessity to withhold additional Epstein documents, citing their graphic nature and the potential for privacy violations.
The revelations from the Journal and Bondi's own comments during a July 8 cabinet meeting fueled discontent among critics, especially within Trump's MAGA base. Accusations of delay tactics and inconsistent statements have clouded the administration's transparency efforts.
Bondi's last-minute cancellation and the ensuing controversy cast a shadow over the CPAC summit, leaving many to question the timing and implications of her absence amid the ongoing Epstein-Trump narrative.
