Ron Wyden

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., of slandering the Treasury Department over Jeffrey Epstein-related claims while trying to deflect attention from Wyden's son.

The New York Post reported that Bessent made the charge during an appearance before the Senate Finance Committee, where Wyden serves as the ranking Democrat.

"Senator Wyden has mendaciously slandered the Treasury building in an attempt to cover up his son having an investment meeting with Jeffrey Epstein to ask for funding," Bessent said in his opening statement.

Bessent was referring to an April 2016 meeting that Adam Wyden attended at Epstein's Manhattan mansion while seeking investment backing for ACM Capital Management, his hedge fund.

Ron Wyden, who has been investigating Epstein's finances, pushed back during the hearing.

"We want to get some facts about this deal, that's what we're here for," Ron Wyden said.

The exchange came as Democrats continue to press questions related to Epstein's finances and the release of case files tied to the deceased convicted sex offender.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared Friday before House lawmakers reviewing the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files release.

Bondi refused to answer questions about President Donald Trump's involvement in the release process.

In her opening statement, Bondi said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is now the acting attorney general, oversaw the release of the Epstein case files under a law passed by Congress and signed by Trump last year.