Democrats fume at Bondi after photo allegedly shows DOJ tracking Epstein database searches

By Fox News · Fox News

Democrats in the House of Representatives are furious that the Department of Justice (DOJ) allegedly tracked their search history while going through the Epstein files stored locally at DOJ headquarters. After Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before lawmakers at a Wednesday hearing, a photographer caught a printout of a set of queries she had brought with her — allegedly search entries that Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash., said belonged to her. "Totally inappropriate," Jayapal told Fox News Digital of the monitored queries. "We’re going to demand an end to that." The list caught in the photograph included phrases Jayapal had looked up in the DOJ's Epstein database, phrases like "Epstein victim list — all redacted" and "new Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19 yo." FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS LAWMAKERS' EFFORT TO FORCE DOJ RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES Bondi and the DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Although the publicly available DOJ Epstein library does contain a privacy disclaimer, it asks readers to notify the agency in the event that a victim's identity is accidently revealed and does not make mention of data collection of any kind. Although it’s unclear what Democrats can do about their displeasure over any monitored searches, several lawmakers blasted the DOJ for what they saw as a violation of the separation of powers. In the view of members like Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, the photos allegedly prove that the DOJ is taking steps to control investigation efforts by members of Congress. "The fact that they’re tracking us as we’re searching — why would you do that?" Garcia said Thursday. "What’s the explanation for tracking members and what we’re searching for?" he asked. "It doesn’t make any sense. We’re very concerned about the process." EPSTEIN VICTIMS USE SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL TO PRESSURE PAM BONDI OVER WITHHELD FILES Lawmakers from across both parties have made…