Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: Pam Bondi LOSES IT In Congressional Hearing

Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: Tim Miller, Jonathan V. (JVL), Jamil Smith
Guests/Notables: Ted Lieu (D-CA; via testimony), Pam Bondi (Attorney General), Thomas Massie (R-KY; via testimony), Rep. Jonah Goose (D-CO; via testimony), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY; via testimony)

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of Bulwark Takes unpacks the explosive Congressional hearing in which Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony on the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation devolved into open contempt, heated partisan exchanges, and allegations of dishonesty. The Bulwark team breaks down key moments, highlighting Bondi’s performance, the broader implications for institutional norms, and what this signals about the current political climate and accountability in justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. A New, Contemptuous Model of Cabinet Testimony

• Open Defiance:

  • Jamil Smith (02:49): “It is entirely new to have an attorney general treating Congress with contempt, open contempt, and also acting as if she works directly for the president.”
  • Jonathan V. and Jamil note this marks a decisive break from past tradition, where even partisan officials feigned independence from the White House and treated Congressional inquiry seriously.

• Performance for "An Audience of One":

  • Bondi's combative statements were aimed at pleasing Trump and his base rather than answering Congressional questions or informing the public.
  • Jonathan V. (07:15): “Why show up? To do a performance for the audience of one?”

2. The Fox News “True Crime” Shift and Right-Wing Media’s Role

• Fox’s daytime content now focuses heavily on true crime, barely covering the Bondi hearing despite its dramatic content (01:19).
• The Bulwark team argues Fox isn’t giving the hearing prominence—a sign of selective amplification for loyal audiences.

3. Pam Bondi’s Stock Market Non-Sequitur — and Her Heated Exchanges

• When challenged, Bondi pivots to unrelated triumphs—boasting about the stock market during questioning about the Epstein probe (05:55).

  • Quote/Highlight:
    Pam Bondi (05:55): “Donald Trump’s signed that law to release all of those documents. He is the most transparent president in the nation's history... The Dow right now is over. The Dow is over $50,000... The S&P at almost 7,000.”

• Bondi lectures Representatives, refusing to engage substantively and treating Congress as beneath her.

  • Jamil Smith (04:10): “Maybe people don't understand this, but this is brand new. It didn't used to be like this.”

4. The Epstein Documents, Redactions Failures, and Accountability (10:22)

• Thomas Massie (R-KY) asks why names of victims were revealed and perpetrators’ names ended up redacted:

  • Exchange:
    • Massie (10:22): “Are you able to track who... obscured Les Wexner’s name as a co-conspirator in an FBI document...?”
    • Bondi dodges accountability and launches into counterattacks.
    • Jamil (12:01): “The dishonesty is breathtaking... he’s asking a very reasonable question... How does your system of redaction work?”

• The Bulwark hosts point out that Bondi’s evasiveness suggests both incompetence and possible cover-up.

5. Hiring of Pardoned January 6th Insurrectionists

• Rep. Jonah Goose (14:51) confronts Bondi over Jared Wise, a “J6er” who, after being indicted and pardoned for attacking Capitol police and yelling “kill him” at officers, now works for the Department of Justice.
  • Quote:
    Ted Lieu (15:53): “This is who you choose... to hire at the DOJ. Someone on video yelling ‘kill him’ at police officers.”
  • Bondi’s defense: “He was pardoned by President Trump.” (16:26)
  • Jonathan V. (17:32): “Even if he was pardoned... The Justice Department seems like a strange choice.”

6. Ted Lieu’s Confrontation — Perjury, Accusations, and Victim Justice

• Rep. Ted Lieu (18:39) confronts Bondi with potential evidence tying Trump directly to criminal behavior in the Epstein files and accuses her of lying under oath.

  • Exchange:
    • Lieu: “I want to know, were there any underage girls at any party that Trump attended with Epstein?”
    • Bondi: “There is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime. Everyone knows that.”
    • Lieu: “I believe you just lied under oath. There is ample evidence in the Epstein file.” (19:45)

• Lieu’s directness is praised by the hosts.

  • Tim Miller (20:49): “I just believe. I believe you just lied under oath. I like that bluntness.”

• The hosts note the DOJ under Bondi has shown no interest in pursuing leads or providing real justice for Epstein’s victims.

7. Justice for Epstein Victims — The Real, Unanswered Questions

• Rep. Jerry Nadler (26:08) presses Bondi for the number of “co-conspirators” indicted or even investigated.

  • Quote/Exchange:
    • Nadler (26:08): “How many of Epstein’s co-conspirators have you indicted? How many perpetrators are you even investigating?”
    • Bondi filibusters and deflects.
    • Jonathan V. (27:11): “Who were the other child rapists? And Pam Bondi again resorts to theatrics and... Donald Trump insult comedy, but without the charm.”

• The Bulwark panel argues this is the crux Republicans purported to care about—but when confronted, Bondi and the administration retreat into partisanship and show no intention of meaningful prosecution.

8. Broader Reflections — Accountability, Erosion of Norms, and the MAGA Audience

• The episode closes with reflections on what it means that such open contempt and non-answers from the attorney general are now routine.

• The lack of pursuit of other perpetrators is flagged as a betrayal of supposed anti-pedophile rhetoric on the right.

  • Jamil Smith (29:48): “There’s a whole disinterest. They're not even trying... They just want to shut the whole thing down.”
  • Jonathan V. (30:09): “I think Republican voters will give [Trump] a pass. Bondi, though, is in some hot water.”

• Bondi was seen as a “grown-up” pick; her performance is contrasted with that older image (31:04).

Memorable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• Jamil Smith [02:49]:
  “It is entirely new to have an attorney general treating Congress with contempt, open contempt, and also acting as if she works directly for the president.”

• Pam Bondi [05:55]:
  “Donald Trump’s signed that law to release all of those documents. He is the most transparent president... The Dow right now is over $50,000.”

• Jamil Smith [12:01]:
  “The dishonesty is breathtaking... How does your system of redaction work?... She just refuses to engage.”

• Ted Lieu [15:53]:
  “This is who you choose as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States... Someone on video yelling ‘kill him’ at police officers.”

• Ted Lieu [19:45]:
  “I believe you just lied under oath. And this is on videotape... Here is a witness statement who... met a girl who said she was raped by Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein... you need to interview this witness immediately...”

• Jerry Nadler [26:08]:
  “How many of Epstein’s co-conspirators have you indicted? How many perpetrators are you even investigating?”

• Jamil Smith [29:48]:
  “There’s a whole disinterest. They're not even trying to swap in a new... bad guy in this. They just want to shut the whole thing down.”

Major Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 02:49 | Jamil Smith on unprecedented contempt by AG Bondi | | 05:55 | Pam Bondi pivots to stock market; performs for political audience | | 10:22 | Thomas Massie presses Bondi on Epstein document redactions | | 14:51 | Rep. Jonah Goose and Ted Lieu question hiring of pardoned J6 insurrectionist | | 18:39 | Ted Lieu corners Bondi on Trump/Epstein, accuses her of perjury | | 26:08 | Rep. Jerry Nadler presses Bondi on actual Epstein prosecutions |

Conclusion and Takeaways

• Structural Breakdown: The hearing serves as a microcosm of contemporary American government, where institutional norms are openly shredded for partisan theater.
• Institutional Accountability at Risk: The attorney general’s refusal to answer basic oversight questions signals a further erosion of checks and balances.
• Political Implications: The MAGA base remains the core audience for these performances, but even among right-wing media and conspiracy circles, patience for non-results is wearing thin.
• Victims Left Behind: Amid political infighting, substantive action for Epstein’s victims remains elusive—and the Bulwark team fears this apathy will become the norm unless voters and civil society demand real answers.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This summary gives you the episode's narrative: a sharply critical discussion of Pam Bondi’s performance, the exposure of contempt for Congressional scrutiny, and the disturbing lack of accountability in one of the most high-profile scandals of the era. The hosts’ tone is incredulous, frequently sarcastic, and resolute about the stakes for democracy and justice. The episode is rich with direct exchanges and moments of unvarnished confrontation, letting listeners experience the full heat of the Congressional battle and its troubling aftermath.