During a pivotal House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Jerry Nadler appeared to momentarily close his eyes while former Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered her opening statement. The scene quickly drew attention, sparking commentary from those observing the proceedings.
The 78-year-old congressman, nearing the end of a distinguished 17-term career, seemed to rest his eyes as Bondi began her first appearance before the committee since assuming her role. This occurred again during the opening remarks of Representative Jamie Raskin, the committee’s ranking Democrat.
Footage of the moments circulated rapidly, with some observers interpreting the closed eyes as signs of sleep. The committee’s Republican account shared a video accompanied by sleeping emojis, pointedly referencing the situation.
Beyond the official committee account, other social media users also posted videos and images, with one captioning the scene with a call for term limits. The images quickly became a point of discussion online.
When it was his turn to question Bondi, Nadler was fully engaged, launching into a pointed exchange regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of unclassified materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking cases. The questioning was direct and focused on accountability.
The incident also drew reaction from those directly impacted by the Epstein case, with one advocate suggesting the moment reflected a lack of seriousness regarding the victims. The hearing touched upon sensitive and deeply emotional subject matter.
Nadler announced his impending retirement from Congress in September, bringing an end to a career spanning more than three decades. His departure will mark a significant shift in the House Judiciary Committee.
Requests for comment from Representative Nadler’s office went unanswered, leaving the interpretation of the moment open to speculation and continued discussion. The incident remains a talking point following the hearing’s conclusion.
