Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ ↗
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POLITICS

The Claim

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asked a federal judge in New York to deny the appointment of a special master to monitor the release of the "Epstein files."

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The Short Version

Reporting from Reuters and other outlets shows the Justice Department asked a New York federal judge to reject a request for a special master over the Epstein files, and Pam Bondi was a signatory to that filing. The key caveat is that the request was made jointly with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, not by Bondi alone. That does not alter the substance of the claim.

Caveats

  • The court request was a joint Justice Department filing; phrasing that suggests Bondi acted alone omits Todd Blanche’s co-signing role.
  • The claim concerns denial of a special master request, not a final ruling on broader public release of all Epstein-related materials.
  • Later political testimony about who handled day-to-day decisions does not change the contemporaneous record of who signed the filing.

The Receipts

  1. Justice Department asks federal judge to deny special master for Epstein files

    Reuters

  2. Epstein files: Justice Department asks judge to deny special master

    CNBC

  3. DOJ moves to block monitor for release of Epstein files

    Spectrum News

  4. Judge demands response after lawmakers accuse DOJ of dragging feet with Epstein files

    Courthouse News Service

  5. Ex-US attorney general defends Epstein files handling in closed-door testimony

    BBC News

  6. Attorney General Pamela Bondi Releases First Phase of Declassified Epstein Files

    U.S. Department of Justice

  7. Reps. Khanna and Massie Call for the Appointment of a Special Master to Compel the Department of Justice to Release the Full Epstein Files

    U.S. House of Representatives – Office of Ro Khanna

  8. Judge Considering Lawmakers' Request to Appoint a 'Special Master' Over Epstein Files

    NOTUS

  9. Lawmakers request court-appointed official to oversee the Epstein files release

    House Office of Rep. Ro Khanna

  10. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files release

    CNN (via Facebook page "cnnpolitics")

+ 9 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Epstein filesNew YorkPam BondiUnited States Attorney GeneralUnited States Department of JusticeUnited States District Court For The Southern District Of New York

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