Pam Bondi defies House subpoena over Epstein files
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Former Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks to reporters following a closed briefing in front of the House Oversight Committee on March 18. Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not comply with a subpoena to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next week for questioning on her handling of the Epstein files.
Why it matters: Lawmakers in both parties are frustrated with how the Justice Department handled the Epstein files and see Bondi's testimony as key to getting answers in their months-long investigation into Epstein.
- Bondi, who was ousted from her post earlier this month, previously told reporters she will "follow the law" in responding to a subpoena from the panel.
- "The Department of Justice has stated Pam Bondi will not appear on April 14 for a deposition since she is no longer attorney general and was subpoenaed in her capacity as attorney general," a committee spokesperson said.
- The panel will reach out to Bondi's personal attorney "to discuss next steps," the spokesperson added.
Catch up quick: The Oversight Committee voted on a bipartisan basis to subpoena Bondi last month, while she was still serving as attorney general.
- The motion was offered by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and every Democrat — plus GOP Reps. Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Lauren Boebert (Colo.) and Scott Perry (Pa.) — voted in favor of the subpoena.
- Democratic members on the panel stormed out of a closed-door briefing with Bondi last month, saying she refused to answer key questions or would not commit to testifying under oath before the committee
State of play: The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), accused Bondi of "trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify" in a statement on Wednesday and threatened to hold her in contempt of Congress.
- Such a move would require support from at least three Republicans on the panel and a vote by the full House.
- House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters last month that "we'll talk about it" when pressed on whether they would move to hold Bondi in contempt.
- But Mace said in a statement on X Wednesday that Bondi "will still have to appear before the Oversight Committee for a sworn deposition."
What they're saying: "The Department of Justice's mishandling of the Epstein files not only betrayed the trust of survivors, but has left us with critical questions unanswered," said Epstein survivors Maria and Annie Farmer in an emailed statement Wednesday.
- "Until Bondi's deposition happens and her testimony is given under oath, we will continue asking Congress to use every lever possible to ensure justice is served."
Go deeper... Epstein files, Trump and FBI: 5 moments that defined Pam Bondi's AG tenure
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Epstein survivors Maria and Annie Farmer.
