Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to face a rigorous interrogation this Wednesday at the House Judiciary Committee hearing, where a series of controversies enveloping her office are expected to take center stage. Amidst the tumult, Democrats believe they have an edge due to Republican reluctance to press Bondi on these contentious issues.

The hearing comes at a time when Bondi is under intense scrutiny for her department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the prosecution of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Additionally, there are growing calls for an investigation into the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), expressed his concerns about the "lawlessness and gross abuse of power" under Bondi's leadership, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations against her department.

While most Republicans on the committee appear disinclined to challenge Bondi, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is an exception, planning to focus on the Epstein case. Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and other GOP members, however, seem more interested in discussing topics like election law reform and parental rights, steering clear of the more controversial subjects.

Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), are gearing up to highlight what they view as a pattern of deception and disrespect for the judiciary by the Department of Justice. Raskin criticized the DOJ for its handling of the Epstein files and promised to expose the "worst depredations of the Trump Justice Department."

The dynamic at the hearing could be further complicated by Bondi’s history of confrontations with Democratic senators, as seen in past Senate Judiciary Committee hearings where she deflected questions by attacking the questioners. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) warned that such behavior could indicate Bondi's reluctance to transparently address the issues at hand.

As the hearing approaches, the focus is not only on Bondi’s responses but also on how Republicans handle the politically sensitive topics. Despite potential veiled criticisms from GOP members about the DOJ’s immigration policies, most seem aligned with Bondi, possibly leaving Massie as the sole critical voice from their ranks.

The session is set to be a critical moment for both parties, with Democrats aiming to leverage public opinion against what they see as a faltering and opaque Justice Department, while Republicans aim to redirect the narrative towards less controversial achievements.