Missing minute in Epstein footage fuels Bongino-Bondi clash
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FBI's Dan Bongino clashes with AG Pam Bondi over Jeffrey Epstein files amid controversy surrounding surveillance footage and a disputed client list.
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Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino speaks at the Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference in National Harbor, Md., March 6, 2014 (AP)
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino took a day off from work Friday following a heated disagreement at the White House with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to four sources familiar with the conflict who spoke to Axios.
The dispute erupted Wednesday as the administration faced backlash for reversing its earlier claims about Epstein, after determining that the convicted sex offender did not possess a celebrity "client list" and that his 2019 death in a New York City prison cell was not a murder, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Bongino's absence from work on Friday sparked speculation among some insiders that he had resigned, though administration officials maintain he remains employed despite ongoing internal tensions surrounding the Epstein case. In contrast, a source close to Bongino suggested his departure was permanent by stating "he ain't coming back," according to Axios.
Fighting over missing time
The row centered on surveillance footage released by the administration from outside Epstein's cell, which officials claimed proved no one entered before his suicide. The 10-hour video contained what many have described as a "missing minute", sparking conspiracy theories within MAGA online circles about a potential cover-up related to Epstein's death, according to sources familiar with the dispute.
Following the discovery of the video's "missing minute", three sources indicated Bongino faced internal blame for the oversight. According to Axios, two sources familiar with his perspective revealed growing frustration with Bondi's management of the Epstein case, particularly her public overpromising and underdelivering regarding disclosures about an Epstein "client list" that sources say never actually existed.
Epstein files throw Trump security admin. into turmoil
The Wednesday confrontation between Bondi and Bongino at the White House was witnessed by FBI Director Kash Patel, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
During the heated meeting, Bongino faced accusations regarding a NewsNation report suggesting he and Patel had pushed for earlier disclosure of Epstein-related information but were blocked, though Bongino vehemently denied being the source of that claim, individuals familiar with the situation told Axios.
"Pam said her piece. Dan said his piece. It didn't end on friendly terms," one source briefed on the discussion stated to Axios, adding that Bongino left the meeting fuming.
According to Axios, the explosive confrontation between Trump's top law enforcement officials revealed the significant turmoil within the administration stemming from its controversial management of the Epstein case.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on X that FBI and DOJ leadership unanimously approved the Epstein files memo, denying any disagreement over its contents or release. "Any suggestion of division between agencies is false," he emphasized.
