A tense exchange during a recent Judiciary Committee hearing has drawn national attention after Rep. Pramila Jayapal accused Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice of “spying” on her over access to the Jeffrey Epstein files, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
The dispute centers on Bondi’s possession of printed summaries detailing which documents members of Congress searched while reviewing unredacted Epstein materials inside a secure DOJ facility.
According to Jayapal’s account, lawmakers were invited to review the unredacted files in a DOJ-controlled reading room. Access was restricted. Members used government computers. Staff were present during the review. Searches were conducted through an internal database.
PANIC IN DC: Pam Bondi just dropped the hammer—the greatest political trap ever—and Congress idiots walked straight into the fire.
She slammed a printout on the table: ‘Jayapal Pramila — Search History.’
Room froze. Dems melted down.
DOJ handed unredacted Epstein files on… pic.twitter.com/iJJOZHIzQS [2]
— Dean1776Patriot (@Dean1776Patriot) February 13, 2026 [3]
Following that review process, DOJ staff printed a record reflecting search activity and summarizing the documents accessed. Jayapal argued that the retention of those records amounted to unconstitutional surveillance.
The process described, however, mirrors standard procedures used when handling classified or legally sensitive federal records.
Secure facilities, monitored terminals, and audit logs are common safeguards across federal agencies to maintain compliance and protect sensitive information.
The key distinction at issue involves monitoring private communications versus tracking user activity on government-owned systems.
Federal agencies routinely maintain logs on official terminals to preserve evidentiary integrity and ensure proper use of databases.
MUST SEE! STING!
Chapter 1. The Bust. The chamber fell into a stunned hush as Attorney General Pam Bondi reached into her black binder and withdrew a single sheet of paper. The label was unmistakable: “Jayapal Pramila Search History. “It was February 11, 2026, during a… pic.twitter.com/gfDbo8Xpch [4]
— Melissa Redpill – Freedom Force (@MelissaRedpill) February 17, 2026 [5]
Jayapal contends that the department’s retention of her search activity constitutes surveillance. The constitutional argument centers on separation of powers.
The doctrine prevents one branch of government from usurping the authority of another. It does not prohibit the executive branch from maintaining security logs on its own systems when lawmakers voluntarily access executive-controlled databases.
Members of Congress were granted access to the reading room under established procedures. Participation required use of DOJ equipment within a controlled environment.
The controversy arises as public scrutiny over the Epstein investigation continues. Lawmakers reviewing the materials have complained that certain documents remain redacted or incomplete.
Supporters of Bondi argue that maintaining search logs provides documentation in case disputes arise over access to specific records.
Jayapal, joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin, has sent a letter demanding that the DOJ cease retaining congressional search histories related to the Epstein file review.
Pam Bondi just invented the ultimate congressional gotcha: Hand out unredacted Epstein files on monitored DOJ computers, then casually whip out a binder labeled ‘Jayapal Pramila Search History’ mid-hearing.
Jayapal: ‘This is SPYING! A BURN BOOK!’
Meanwhile, the rest of Congress… https://t.co/vrDJbQxE2W [6]
— Great Shroud: Unmasking the Empire (@GreatShroudBook) February 16, 2026 [7]
The debate also comes against the backdrop of prior disputes involving surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Past controversies included findings by the DOJ inspector general of errors in FISA applications during the 2016 election cycle.
Those matters involved secret warrants and intelligence authorities, not search logs generated from a controlled reading room.
In the broader political context, accusations surrounding the Epstein files have intensified. Some Democrats have suggested that President Donald Trump appears in the documents in ways implying wrongdoing.
Others have acknowledged that a document mention alone does not establish guilt. Jayapal herself noted during her remarks that keyword searches can generate thousands of results, including news clips and incidental references.
Whether the DOJ will comply with Jayapal and Raskin’s request remains unclear. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over transparency, redactions, and congressional oversight in the Epstein investigation.