Pam Bondi Cancels CPAC Anti-Trafficking Appearance Due To Medical Issue

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was forced to cancel her planned appearance at CPAC’s Summit Against Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C., citing a medical issue. Bondi, who was expected to deliver a keynote speech, revealed that a torn cornea has left her unable to attend.

“I’m sorry to miss all of my CPAC friends today,” Bondi said in a statement read to attendees by Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti. “Unfortunately, I am recovering from a recently torn cornea, which is preventing me from being with you. I truly wish I was able to join you and support all of the work being done on this critical issue.”

The crowd responded with scattered applause as Galeotti joked, “We appreciate the applause for her and not boos for me. So I will do my best to fill those big shoes.” No additional information about Bondi’s condition was disclosed by the Justice Department.

Other key Trump administration officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan, were on hand at the summit to address the ongoing fight against human trafficking.

Bondi’s absence comes as she faces renewed attention over her role in the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. A recent Wall Street Journal report revealed that Bondi informed President Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein-related documents. Earlier this year, Bondi made headlines when she claimed to have an Epstein “client list” on her desk, though she later clarified she was referring to the Epstein case file rather than a list of clients.

President Trump has sought to distance himself from the Epstein controversy, dismissing renewed interest in the case. “He’s dead. He’s gone,” Trump said during a press conference, calling the push for more Epstein material a “Democrat playbook hoax” comparable to “Russia, Russia, Russia.”

In response to mounting pressure, the administration did request that a judge unseal transcripts from the Florida grand jury proceedings into Epstein, but that request was denied. Bondi has since stated that she would release “whatever’s credible” regarding the case, should it be approved.

Bondi’s legacy as a fierce advocate against human trafficking remains well-regarded, but her absence at CPAC’s anti-trafficking summit and the ongoing controversy over Epstein have raised questions about her current public role.

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