A startling scene unfolded during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday as Representative Jerrold Nadler appeared to drift off to sleep. The hearing featured testimony from US Attorney General Pam Bondi, covering sensitive topics including the Epstein files and the deaths of individuals involved in protests.
The incident occurred just moments into the proceedings, prompting a staff member to discreetly awaken the Chairman. The interruption raised immediate questions about attentiveness and respect during such critical discussions.
Later, the hearing took a sharply contentious turn when Nadler pressed Bondi for specifics regarding the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators. The exchange quickly escalated into a heated back-and-forth.
“How many [co-conspirators] have you indicted?” Nadler demanded, his voice rising with frustration. Bondi retorted sharply, “Excuse me! I’m going to answer!” and then accused Nadler of employing “ridiculous theatrics.”
The argument continued with Bondi declaring she would answer “the way I want to answer the question,” refusing to engage in what she termed a descent into “the gutter.” Chairman Jim Jordan was ultimately forced to intervene to restore order as both figures spoke over one another.
This wasn’t an isolated incident involving Representative Nadler. In 2020, similar concerns arose during testimony delivered by then-Attorney General Bill Barr, where Nadler was observed appearing to doze off during the proceedings.
The recurrence of these moments has fueled debate about the demands placed on lawmakers and the importance of maintaining full engagement during crucial congressional hearings. It underscores the intense scrutiny faced by those in positions of power.
