Rep. Garcia: Epstein Files Scandal 'Worse Than Watergate,' Bondi Faces Blame

Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) called the Epstein files scandal “infinitely worse than Watergate” and suggested that Attorney General Pam Bondi could face blame for handling of the case, AOL.com reported.¹

Garcia’s comparison to Watergate—the 1970s political scandal that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in August 1974—represents one of the strongest statements yet from a sitting member of Congress on the Epstein investigation.¹

The California Republican specifically referenced Bondi as potentially facing responsibility for how the Justice Department handles Epstein-related records and investigations.¹

Bondi Under Congressional Scrutiny

Garcia’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Bondi’s oversight of Epstein files. The attorney general has faced criticism from lawmakers over redactions in released documents and her testimony before Congress on the case.¹

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) have both challenged the Justice Department’s implementation of the Epstein Transparency Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in January 2025.¹ The law requires federal agencies to declassify and release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.¹

Watergate Comparison

The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters in June 1972 and escalated into a constitutional crisis over the Nixon administration’s attempted cover-up. Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, facing certain impeachment. Multiple administration officials were criminally convicted.¹

Garcia’s statement that the Epstein case is “infinitely worse” suggests he views the potential scope of wrongdoing as exceeding the Watergate crisis.¹

Epstein Case Background

Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner.¹

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He had previously been convicted in 2008 on state charges of soliciting a minor in Florida, serving 13 months under a controversial non-prosecution agreement.¹

His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison.¹

Document Release Status

The FBI began its formal review of Epstein-related documents following the Transparency Act’s enactment. The bureau has acknowledged possessing thousands of pages of investigative materials, flight logs, financial records, and communications related to Epstein’s criminal activities and his network of associates.¹

Federal courts have also released batches of previously sealed documents related to civil litigation involving Epstein and Maxwell.¹

References

1. AOL.com — “Epstein files scandal ‘infinitely worse than Watergate’ as Bondi could face blame, Rep. Garcia says”