Pam Bondi's DOJ to Make Ghislaine Maxwell Decision After Epstein Backlash
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Pam Bondi's leadership of the Department of Justice may come under further Jeffrey Epstein-related scrutiny over an appeal by Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
The British socialite, and former friend of Prince Andrew, was sentenced to 20 years in jail in June 2022 for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation, but has appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Trump administration's response to that case is due July 14 at a particularly pressured time for Bondi, who as attorney general leads the DOJ.
Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, is seen [L] testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2025. Ghislaine Maxwell [R] hosts a reception at her residence in New York...
Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, is seen [L] testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2025. Ghislaine Maxwell [R] hosts a reception at her residence in New York City, on June 5, 2014. MoreandWhy It Matters
Bondi has facing severe criticism from within President Donald Trump's MAGA base after a report by the DOJ and FBI last week stated there was no Epstein client list and no evidence the New York financier blackmailed prominent public figures.
This has sparked accusations of a cover-up as Bondi appeared to suggest in February the alleged document was sitting on her desk. The White House later sought to clarify that she was referring to Epstein files more generally.
Newsweek has contacted the DOJ for comment by email out of office hours.
What to Know
Epstein is thought to have abused hundreds of girls and was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he died in his jail cell in 2019.
The case has long featured allegations that he forced his victims to have sex with his powerful friends, but none have ever been charged. Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have been linked to Epstein but both men, and Prince Andrew, strenuously deny knowledge of his crimes.
Trump administration figures suggested new details and even new cases would emerge after a review ordered by the President into the Epstein files this year.
However, a memo by the DOJ and FBI last week indicated there would be no new cases and stated there was no evidence of a blackmail plot by Epstein.
"This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list.' There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions," said the memo.
"We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."
This sparked furious responses from MAGA commentators and tears from alt-right radio host Alex Jones, exerting extra pressure on the DOJ, run by Bondi as attorney general, over how to handle Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal following her criminal conviction for sex trafficking.
Ghislaine Maxwell's Appeal
Maxwell's lawyers argue she should never have been put on trial due to a plea deal between Jeffrey Epstein and Florida prosecutors in 2008.
A filing by her team, seen by Newsweek, reads: "Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein.
"Only because the United States did so in the Second Circuit and not elsewhere, her motion to dismiss the indictment was denied, her trial proceeded, and she
is now serving a 20-year sentence.
"In light of the disparity in how the circuit courts interpret the enforceability of a promise made by the 'United States,' Maxwell's motion to dismiss would have been granted if she had been charged in at least four other circuits (plus the Eleventh, where Epstein's agreement was entered into).
"This inconsistency in the law by which the same promise by the United States
means different things in different places should be addressed by this Court."
D. John Sauer, Donald Trump's pick for Solicitor General, has already twice applied to extend the deadline for the administration's response to Maxwell's appeal, leading to the current July 14 deadline.
A letter from Sauer to the court, seen by Newsweek, read: "The government's response is now due, after one extension, on June 13, 2025.
"We respectfully request, under Rule 30.4 of the Rules of this Court, a further extension of time to and including July 14, 2025, within which to file the government's response.
"This extension is necessary because the attorneys with principal responsibility for
preparation of the government's response have been heavily engaged with the press of previously assigned matters with proximate due dates."
What People Are Saying
Conservative media personality Megyn Kelly was among those to heap pressure on Bondi over backlash during an appearance at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit over the weekend. "It's starting to create a real hornet's nest within the administration and I've got to be honest I blame Pam Bondi. I'll tell you why: incompetence," she said.
"She is the reason that things are unravelling around this story right now, that virtually all the Republican Party cares about. It's also true that [FBI Deputy Director] Dan Bongino and [FBI Director] Kash Patel had questions about Epstein before they took office before they went to the FBI," she continued.
Megyn had hands down the best perspective I've seen on Pam's behavior. In case you missed it, here is some of that.pic.twitter.com/3twpoPDVrP — The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) July 12, 2025
"But once they joined the FBI they said nothing. They kept their mouths shut about Epstein. You have not seen them, except for one joint appearace with Dan and Kash on Fox, running all over the media looking for attention on this, yes, clickbaity story.
"Who have you seen?" Kelly asked. "Pam Bondi. She has never missed an opportunity to go on television and dangle sweet nothings that might be coming your way, try to lead you to believe that she's got it, it's on her desk, it's coming, 'tomorrow you're going to see something on Epstein.'"
Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday: "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again."
What Happens Next
The Government will now either file its reply, which should lay out how it intends to contest the case, or seek a third extension. Either way, there should be a filing to the Supreme Court case outlining which option has been chosen.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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