Attorney General Pam Bondi unexpectedly withdrew from her scheduled appearance at CPAC’s anti-trafficking summit in Washington, D.C., citing her need for recovery from a health issue.
Bondi was set to deliver a speech at CPAC’s Summit Against Human Trafficking but had to cancel her appearance due to health reasons.
“I have a note from Attorney General Pam Bondi that I would like to share with you,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti informed the audience.
Galeotti proceeded to read out Bondi’s statement to the attendees.
Attorney General Pam Bondi unexpectedly canceled her scheduled appearance at CPAC’s anti-trafficking summit in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“I regret not being able to join all my CPAC friends today,” Bondi expressed in her statement.
“Unfortunately, I am recovering from a recently torn cornea, which is preventing me from being with you,” she continued. “I truly wish I could be there to support all the important work being done on this critical issue.”
Following the reading of the statement, some applause could be heard from the audience.
“We appreciate the applause for her and not boos for me,” joked Galeotti. “I will do my best to step into her big shoes.”
The Justice Department did not provide further details about Bondi’s health condition.
Bondi was expected to speak at CPAC’s Summit Against Human Trafficking when it was revealed she could not make her scheduled appearance. (Getty Images)
Other Trump administration officials also spoke at the event, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan.
Bondi’s absence comes amid increased scrutiny over the Trump administration’s withholding of documents related to the case of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Bondi informed President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in the Epstein documents.
Trump has been actively avoiding discussions about Epstein, claiming that the issue is no longer relevant. He has even distanced himself from past supporters who continue to push for the release of Epstein-related materials.
Bondi’s absence comes amid increased scrutiny over the withholding of documents related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Trump recently defended Bondi’s handling of the Epstein case and criticized Republicans who continue to push for the release of Epstein-related information.
The administration had requested the unsealing of transcripts from Florida grand jury proceedings into Epstein but the request was denied.
