Pam Bondi’s Explosive Hearing: Redaction Failures, Survivor Betrayal, and the Nancy Guthrie Abduction
Rep. Ro Khanna exposes DOJ redactions shielding powerful abusers, political theater over justice, and escalating developments in the high-profile disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February 11, 2026 House Judiciary Committee hearing turned contentious as Epstein survivors sat behind her and Democrats accused the DOJ of a cover-up. Bondi refused to apologize for redaction failures exposing victims’ identities, deflected blame, and attacked questioners. In an interview with Katie Couric, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) detailed redactions, inaction, and survivors’ frustration, while experts analyzed the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Domestic
Epstein files: Redactions protect the powerful, survivors re-traumatized Critical survivor testimony—including a rape at age 17 in France—remains heavily redacted in FBI 302 summaries despite the Transparency Act. Rep. Pramila Jayapal pressed Bondi to apologize to survivors present at the hearing for the botched releases that exposed victims’ identities; Bondi refused and deflected blame. Khanna called the lack of investigations into wealthy individuals who continued associating with Epstein after his 2008 conviction “morally reprehensible.” Survivors were denied meetings with Bondi or senior DOJ leaders and felt hurt by the political theater. Deputy AG Todd Blanche’s involvement—including a lenient Maxwell interview and her transfer to a lower-security facility—has raised suspicions of political protection, with her attorney signaling potential clemency in exchange for exonerating Trump and Clinton.
Nancy Guthrie abduction: Rare, high-risk crime with major investigative momentum The February 1, 2026 disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson home is extremely unusual for adult kidnappings (FBI veteran Barbara Daley noted only three such cases in over a decade, typically involving males and motives like money or revenge). Experts highlight the high-risk nature—removing an elderly woman with limited mobility from her home—requiring pre-planning and possible familiarity with her routine. FBI-released doorbell footage shows a masked, gloved, armed suspect behaving in a “performative” manner while tampering with the camera. Authorities detained a man in Rio Rico, Arizona, on February 10 after tips, but released him without charges after questioning; he denied involvement. The case has generated over 18,000 tips (4,000+ in the last day), with FBI Director Kash Patel citing “significant progress.” Ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin were sent to media outlets, and Savannah Guthrie and family continue public appeals for her safe return.
Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp resigns amid Epstein file revelations Brad Karp, chairman of the influential law firm Paul Weiss, has resigned following the release of Epstein documents showing email exchanges with the convicted sex offender after his 2008 conviction. The disclosures have intensified calls for public testimony from Hillary Clinton (though House Oversight Chair Comer prefers closed-door sessions) and demands that prominent figures including Bill Gates, Leon Black, Leslie Wexner, Jes Staley, and Jamie Dimon appear before Congress. President Trump’s name appears 38,000 times in the files but has so far faced no public scrutiny.
Longevity expert Peter Attia linked to 1,700 Epstein communications Peter Attia, a prominent Canadian physician and longevity specialist, is mentioned 1,700 times in the Epstein files, with contacts continuing years after Epstein’s conviction. One email from Attia to Epstein states: “The biggest problem with being friends with you—the life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can’t tell a soul.” Another message references Little St. James Island in suggestive terms. Attia was recently hired by Bari Weiss for CBS News, while Peter Thiel—who appears 1,800 times in the files—recommended Alan Dershowitz as a potential contributor to her news operation.
Jeff Bezos slashes Washington Post staff amid ties to Trump orbit Jeff Bezos has laid off 300 journalists at The Washington Post—the largest reduction at a major U.S. newspaper since 2008—despite no apparent financial distress. The cuts follow Bezos’s $75 million investment in the Melania Trump film “Hooker and Boots,” which reportedly saw only 22,000 actual viewers worldwide after heavy ticket laundering, including forced attendance by military personnel. Shortly after the film’s release, Pete Hegseth visited Blue Origin to discuss potential NASA and space grants. Bezos also withdrew his endorsement of Kamala Harris during the election and has since been accused of silencing critical coverage at his newspaper.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard oversees voter-file seizures in Fulton County Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard personally joined FBI raids on Fulton County election offices in Georgia, where voter rolls and voting machines were seized amid claims of “serious irregularities”—though no evidence has been released. President Trump initially denied ordering the operation, then pointed to Attorney General Pam Bondi (who is now unavailable for comment). Similar actions took place in Puerto Rico two months earlier. Critics argue the moves, conducted under the outward-focused DNI role, appear designed to manufacture evidence of election fraud ahead of 2026 midterms.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s Epstein island visit contradicts public claims Despite Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s 2025 New York Post interview assertion that he severed ties with Jeffrey Epstein in 2005, newly released DOJ documents show December 2012 emails coordinating a family visit to Epstein’s Little St. James island for lunch or dinner, including Lutnick’s children. A December 24, 2012 email from an Epstein assistant to Lutnick reads “Nice seeing you,” indicating the meeting occurred—three years after Epstein completed his sentence for sexual offenses involving a minor. The records suggest continued close association despite Epstein’s known history. Numerous Trump associates, including Elon Musk and Steve Bannon, also appear in the documents, while Trump’s name surfaces more than 38,000 times across roughly 3 million pages. Critics note that while Trump and allies publicly condemned Epstein’s “elite” circle, actions in power—including suppression of related information—have raised questions about consistency.
House votes to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada in rare bipartisan rebuke
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 219-211 on February 11, 2026, to approve a resolution disapproving President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, effectively seeking to terminate his use of a national emergency declaration to impose the duties. Six Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in the measure, marking a rare congressional pushback against the administration’s trade policy. The vote came amid months of GOP internal tensions over tariffs that have raised costs for U.S. consumers and strained relations with a key ally. Moments before the final tally, Trump posted on Truth Social threatening political consequences for any Republican opposing tariffs: “Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!” The resolution now heads to the Senate, where passage remains unlikely, and Trump is expected to veto it if it reaches his desk.
International
Ukrainian deep strikes degrade Russian drone, missile, and logistics capabilities On February 9, 2026, Ukrainian forces launched a series of overnight attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure as part of Kyiv’s ongoing campaign to weaken Russia’s battlefield capacity and disrupt war-sustaining supply chains. Strikes destroyed three containers of FPV drones and components at a storage facility near Rostov-on-Don (Rostov Oblast), with the General Staff claiming around 6,000 FPV drones eliminated (independent verification pending). Additional targets included a command center for Russia’s airborne troops near Sudzha (Kursk Oblast), an ammunition depot near Novooleksiyivka (Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast), and the Redkino Experimental Plant in Tver Oblast, which produces Decilin-M rocket fuel for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles plus diesel/aviation kerosene additives; the latter attack caused a major fire.
NATO launches Arctic Sentry – Sweden ready to contribute NATO announced Operation Arctic Sentry on February 11, 2026, to increase coordination of existing military exercises and surveillance in the Arctic region (e.g., Norway’s Cold Response and Denmark’s Arctic Endurance on Greenland). NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized unifying activities under one command to improve situational awareness and combat effectiveness. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) stated Sweden stands ready to contribute, noting that as one of seven NATO Arctic nations, it has relevant capabilities. Details on Sweden’s specific role are still under discussion within the alliance. The initiative responds to Russia’s reactivation of Arctic military infrastructure and China’s growing presence (e.g., research vessels), amid melting ice opening new shipping routes and economic opportunities. It also serves as a subtle signal to U.S. President Trump, who has previously criticized Denmark’s defense of Greenland and suggested U.S. control.
Vice President Vance describes Trump-era shift to “new world order” Vice President J.D. Vance told Megyn Kelly that the Trump administration is forging “a new world order” in trade, globalization, and alliance structures—open to shaking up NATO and abandoning longstanding relationships. A recent study classifies 72% of the world under autocratic rule, with the United States now categorized as an autocracy. Trump has dismantled traditional U.S. trade alliances, leaving partnerships primarily with “failed petro-states and dictators.” Analysts describe the shift as prioritizing elite and kleptocratic interests over democratic norms, with Trump positioned as the central authority and traditional rights and alliances sidelined.
Epstein files expose decades of elite protection while survivors face redactions and re-traumatization. Bondi’s hearing favored attacks over accountability, delaying justice.
Nancy Guthrie’s abduction—an 84-year-old grandmother taken with ransom demands and bizarre video—continues with 18,000+ tips, footage release, and searches, yet no resolution.
Internationally, Ukraine’s strikes, NATO’s Arctic push, and Vance’s “new world order” remarks signal intensifying competition and democratic erosion.
These stories demand unredacted truth, real probes, and leaders prioritizing victims over politics. Survivors, the Guthries, and those facing global shifts deserve justice—not theater or cover-ups.