Overview of the Exchange
During a House hearing, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi made comments characterizing Culver City as a crime haven. This occurred during an exchange with Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles), whose district encompasses Culver City. The hearing's primary focus was the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Attorney General's Statement
Rep. Kamlager-Dove questioned Bondi about deleted Department of Justice data linking far-right ideology with political killings. In response, Bondi stated:
"There are [violent, dangerous people] — in your district," adding that Kamlager-Dove was not discussing crime in Culver City.
Local Response and Crime Statistics
Local officials and figures, including political commentator Brian Taylor Cohen and comedian Heather Gardner, quickly defended Culver City. Mayor Freddy Puza described the city as a "strong and vibrant community" and indicated that local government efforts, including community-based policing and social services, have contributed to lower crime rates.
Culver City Police Department data reflects these efforts, showing a 9.7% decline in overall crime in 2024 and an additional 6.1% reduction in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. Violent crime decreased by 3.9% in 2024, with murders falling to zero. Aggravated assault, kidnapping, and robbery also saw decreases, while simple assaults rose by 8.1%.
The broader context supports these local trends: the California Department of Justice and the FBI reported in 2024 that crime rates in the state were at historically low levels.
Context of the Hearing
Attorney General Bondi faced significant criticism at the hearing regarding redaction errors in the released Epstein case files. She declined to apologize to Epstein victims present, stating she would not engage in "partisan requests."
Her performance resulted in bipartisan calls for her resignation. Bondi also made critical remarks towards other representatives and public figures during the session.