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House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi in Epstein Probe
In a significant bipartisan move, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi for a closed-door deposition as part of its ongoing investigation into the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The decision, which passed with a 24-19 vote, comes after months of calls from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for Bondi’s testimony.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has faced scrutiny for missing a crucial deadline to release Epstein files by 42 days. While the DOJ released over 3 million files earlier this year, committee investigators estimate this represents only half of the documents in the department’s possession. Top Democrats have gone as far as to accuse Bondi and the DOJ of a “cover-up” regarding the Epstein files.
Further concerns have been raised across the political spectrum regarding the released documents. Lawmakers are troubled that survivor identities were not adequately protected, and sensitive photographs were released, in violation of the Epstein Transparency Act, which mandated redactions of such material. Conversely, the DOJ redacted the names of several individuals who are not survivors, sparking outrage among members of Congress and Epstein’s victims, who also allege a cover-up.
Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, emphasized the public’s need for answers. “The American public have significant questions about the DOJ and their process for releasing of the files,” Garcia stated during the debate.
“I think it’s important that she is in front of our committee. She can directly answer questions about the release of the files, about transparency, about ensuring that victims and survivors are protected.”
The motion to subpoena Bondi was introduced by South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who has previously diverged from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership on this issue.
Four other Republicans-Reps. Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud, and Scott Perry-joined Democrats in supporting the motion.
Prior to the vote, Oversight Chairman James Comer informed the committee that Bondi had offered a private briefing on the status of the Epstein documents. However, this offer was deemed insufficient by the coalition of lawmakers pushing for the subpoena.
California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, co-sponsor of the Epstein Transparency Act, commended Mace’s efforts and highlighted the bipartisan nature of the initiative.
“It’s about transparency. It has nothing to do with being a Democrat or a Republican.
It’s about going after predators and people who are sexually harassing,” Khanna asserted.
Lawmakers have also questioned the transfer of Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison in Texas, which occurred days after she met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Bondi previously told the House Judiciary Committee that she did not personally approve the transfer.
No date has yet been set for Attorney General Bondi’s deposition. In related developments, Chairman Comer recently sent letters to seven other individuals with ties to Epstein, including billionaire Bill Gates and former White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, requesting transcribed interviews. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is also expected to be interviewed in a closed-door deposition later this month as the committee’s investigation continues.