Washington: Former Attorney General Pam Bondi has refused to answer questions regarding President Donald Trump's involvement in the release of government records related to Jeffrey Epstein, convicted of sex offenses, according to Democratic lawmakers.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rep. Robert Garcia, the House Oversight Committee's top Democrat, stated that he personally asked Bondi multiple times about her conversations with President Trump. Garcia inquired whether Trump directed her at any time concerning the Epstein Files and what Trump knew or asked her to redact. Bondi, however, declined to respond to any questions related to Trump.

Rep. James Walkinshaw, another Democrat on the committee, reported that Bondi expressed uncertainty about the extent of Trump's knowledge of Epstein's crimes before the documents were released. Walkinshaw noted that Bondi had the opportunity to clarify Trump's awareness of the crimes but instead stated, "I don't know."

Trump has attempted to distance himself from Epstein, who was once a friend and part of the same social circles before they had a falling out. Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy involving minors. He had previously pled guilty in 2008 in Florida to soliciting and procuring minors for prostitution.