Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was seen with his eyes closed during portions of a House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Attorney General Pam Bondi, leading to criticism from Republicans. The incident occurred as Bondi delivered her opening statement, with Republicans sharing videos of Nadler appearing to doze off. Nadler later engaged in a heated exchange with Bondi over the DOJ's handling of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
Bondi also clashed with Democrats, calling Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) a "washed up, loser lawyer" after he demanded additional time for Nadler. The hearing devolved into shouting as Republicans accused Democrats of "theatrics."
Nadler, who is retiring after 34 years in Congress, was alert during his questioning of Bondi. Republicans and conservative commentators criticized Nadler's apparent lapse in attention, while Democrats focused on the substance of Bondi's testimony and the DOJ's compliance with Epstein-related document releases.