U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett delivered a sharp and highly charged critique of President Donald Trump during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
The outspoken Congresswoman accused Trump of maintaining close associations with individuals implicated in sexual abuse scandals, while stressing she was not directly labeling him a perpetrator.
The Texas Democrat made the remarks on Wednesday while questioning U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who appeared before the committee as part of discussions surrounding the handling of justice system matters tied to Jeffrey Epstein-related records.
Crockett cites Epstein files
Crockett told the hearing she would not spend time asking Bondi questions she believed would go unanswered, instead choosing to lay out what she described as documented facts.
“I’m not saying that the president is a pedophile,” Crockett said, “but there is a lot of evidence in these files that suggests that he’s very close friends with a lot of men who are pedophiles.”
She referenced materials she described as part of Epstein-related records, claiming they contain thousands of mentions of Trump, his associates, or properties.
Crockett also cited investigative notes she said indicated Epstein and convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell had arranged interactions between Trump and young women, though she did not provide new documentary evidence during the hearing.
Political clash during testimony
The congresswoman also criticized Bondi’s handling of questioning procedures during the hearing, accusing her of being “non-responsive” and failing to address direct inquiries.
Crockett argued that survivors of sexual abuse deserve accountability and transparency from federal authorities.
“Let me address the survivors because that’s exactly who they are,” she said. “They are not victims — they are survivors.”
Her remarks drew strong reactions from both parties, underscoring the ongoing political tensions surrounding the legacy of the Epstein investigation and its ties to prominent public figures.
Context and disputes
Trump has previously denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not been charged in connection with the financier’s crimes. Publicly released court records have shown that Epstein had social connections with numerous high-profile individuals across politics, business, and entertainment.
Legal experts note that being named in such records does not necessarily imply criminal conduct.
The hearing comes amid renewed scrutiny over how federal agencies have handled Epstein-related investigations and records disclosure.
