The House Oversight Committee is facing a new challenge in its investigation into the federal government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, as former Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated she will not appear for her scheduled deposition next week.
Jessica Collins, spokeswoman for the committee, confirmed Wednesday that the Department of Justice informed them Bondi, who was recently ousted by President Donald Trump, would not attend the April 14 deposition. The department stated the subpoena applied to Bondi in her official capacity as attorney general—a role she no longer holds. The committee plans to reach out to Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss rescheduling.
Bondi has come under scrutiny for how the Justice Department handled the so-called Epstein files. The release of millions of documents related to Epstein, the late financier who sexually abused underage girls, was delayed and contained multiple errors, prompting bipartisan concern in Congress.
Rep. Nancy Mace, who initiated the motion to compel Bondi’s appearance, emphasized on social media that “Bondi cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office of Attorney General.” She added that the motion to compel was “by name, not by title,” and said the committee expects Bondi to appear once a new date is set.
Top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, also vowed to enforce the subpoena, warning that failure to appear could lead to contempt of Congress charges. “Now that Pam Bondi has been fired, she's trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify before the Oversight Committee about the Epstein files and the White House cover-up,” he said.
Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, who previously enforced subpoenas on former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is overseeing the Bondi deposition. After her ouster on April 2, Bondi stated on social media that she would spend the next month “working tirelessly to transition the office.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has assumed the acting role at the Department of Justice. Despite this, some Republicans who joined Democrats in subpoenaing Bondi have indicated they will continue to push for her testimony before the committee.
With Bondi refusing to appear, a standoff between Congress and the former attorney general appears imminent, raising questions about accountability and the ongoing scrutiny over Epstein-related investigations.
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