Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign, citing findings from a panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A panel of independent experts found the existence of a “global criminal enterprise” and “crimes against humanity” with regard to Epstein’s pedophilia trafficking operation.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 18, 2026
There were over 1,000 victims.
How many men has @AGPamBondi held accountable? ZERO.
Bondi must resign. https://t.co/jeJMH1mThO
“A panel of independent experts found the existence of a ‘global criminal enterprise’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ with regard to Epstein’s pedophilia trafficking operation. There were over 1,000 victims. How many men has @AGPamBondi held accountable? ZERO. Bondi must resign,” Lieu wrote in a public post.
Lieu’s remarks were in response to a Feb. 17 report by Reuters detailing the conclusions of the U.N.-appointed experts. According to the panel, millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a “global criminal enterprise” that carried out acts potentially meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity.
Millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a 'global criminal enterprise' that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council says https://t.co/b9cmtOW3wd
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 17, 2026
The experts said the crimes outlined in documents released by the U.S. Justice Department were committed “against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny,” and described a “commodification and dehumanization of women and girls.” More than 1,200 victims have been identified in documents released so far.
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,” the experts said in a statement. They called for an independent, thorough and impartial investigation, and raised concerns about “serious compliance failures and botched redactions” that exposed sensitive victim information. The panel also said reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations had left many survivors feeling retraumatized and subjected to what they described as “institutional gaslighting.”
Lieu’s demand for Bondi’s resignation comes amid a broader and increasingly confrontational dispute between the California Democrat and the attorney general over her handling of matters related to Epstein and President Donald Trump.
Wow. Just wow pic.twitter.com/vDsHS0GqcD
— Liam Nissan™ (@theliamnissan) February 11, 2026
During a recent House committee hearing, Lieu pressed Bondi over whether Trump had attended parties with Epstein where underage girls were present. Bondi denied that there was evidence of criminal activity by Trump and described the line of questioning as “ridiculous,” asserting that it was intended to deflect from “the great things Donald Trump has done.” She characterized Trump’s presidency as “the most transparent presidency.”
Lieu interrupted at one point, saying, “Claim my time. I got your answer. You said there’s no evidence.” He then referenced documents and witness statements that he argued contradicted Bondi’s testimony, including accounts from an individual who allegedly drove Trump and reported overhearing conversations with Epstein, as well as claims of sexual assault connected to both men. “You just lied under oath, and this is all on videotape. You said there’s no evidence of a crime,” Lieu said during the exchange. Bondi responded sharply: “Don’t you ever accuse me of a crime!”
Rep. Lieu: "I believe you just lied under oath."
— Home of the Brave (@OfTheBraveUSA) February 11, 2026
Pam Bondi: "Don't you ever accuse me of a crime!"
Rep. Lieu: "I believe you just lied under oath and this is all on videotape." pic.twitter.com/Dq2B5DzviJ
The exchange between Lieu and Bondi underscores mounting political tensions surrounding the Epstein case and its lingering fallout. With newly released documents drawing renewed scrutiny and a U.N.-appointed panel calling for further investigation, the issue has reemerged as a flashpoint in partisan battles over oversight, accountability and the Justice Department’s handling of high-profile allegations. As both parties look toward the next election cycle, the dispute signals that the Epstein case is likely to remain a focal point in congressional and political debate.
