Bondi's handling of Epstein files sparks rift with Bongino and Patel

A major conflict between top officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice spilled into public view on Friday over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, prompting FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino to skip work Friday due to his frustration with the DOJ, a source familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner.

Bongino’s absence came after he clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein files. Bondi suggested in February that the Epstein client list was sitting on her desk, but the Trump administration now says no such list exists.