House Subpoenas Bondi Over Epstein Files Handling

The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena compelling Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify regarding the Justice Department's handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) authorized the subpoena requiring Bondi to appear for a closed-door deposition on April 14, according to multiple reports.

The committee voted earlier this month to authorize the subpoena, with five Republicans joining all Democrats in support of the motion. The investigation focuses on the Justice Department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and its handling of documents involving Epstein and his associates. According to CBS News, only about half of the files have been released, with tens of thousands redacted or removed due to explicit content or victim information.

The subpoena follows bipartisan criticism over document redactions and delays in release. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November 2023, mandates the full release of relevant materials by December 19, 2025. BBC reports that Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace introduced a motion to subpoena Bondi and accused the Justice Department of a 'cover-up' in releasing the Epstein files.

The Justice Department has defended its actions, stating that lawmakers have been invited to view unredacted files and that Bondi has made herself available for discussions. A DOJ spokesperson called the subpoena 'completely unnecessary,' as reported by Fox News. The committee indicated that the probe could lead to legislative changes aimed at strengthening federal anti-trafficking efforts and reforming non-prosecution agreements in sex-crime cases.

The investigation has spanned multiple administrations, with former President Trump signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law. Critics have accused Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche of a slow release of documents, citing concerns over victim protections and the massive volume of material involved. The committee has also sought testimony from other individuals connected to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton.

The subpoena comes after the Justice Department made its sixth release of the documents as recently as March 5. According to UPI, Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will participate in a private briefing with members of the oversight committee on Wednesday. The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, praised the subpoena in a statement, saying that Bondi’s testimony is a step toward 'justice for the survivors.'

In an interview in February 2025, Bondi told Fox News that Epstein’s “client list” was “sitting on my desk right now”. By July of that year, however, she had walked back those remarks, saying no such list existed. Lawmakers such as Representative Thomas Massie and Representative Rho Khanna have said that redactions by the Justice Department go far beyond what is permitted.

Massie and Khanna have also raised questions about why the Justice Department missed the deadline specified in the law for the Epstein files’ release — and why some documents appeared to be missing from a late January release. On Tuesday, Khanna praised his fellow Congress members for their bipartisan push for accountability, highlighting that lawmakers like Massie and Nancy Mace are “showing that you can stand for accountability of the Epstein class by working across the aisle and putting the American people before party.”

Democrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from attorney general Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California congressman Robert Garcia called “an outrageous fake hearing” after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath. Less than an hour into the briefing, Democrats walked out in protest of the arrangement.

Speaking outside the hearing room, Florida congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said: “We asked her multiple times, are you going to come and speak with us under oath? She would not say yes.” Frost added that Bondi was a liar and accused her of spying on members of Congress when they were in the DOJ looking at the documents unredacted. Pennsylvania congresswoman Summer Lee said that when she asked how the committee would respond if Bondi refused to testify, Comer insulted her by accusing her of “bitching.”

Comer later confirmed the interaction in a social media post: “I said Democrats were bitching and wasting everyone’s time because Democrats were bitching and wasting everyone’s time.” Justice department leaders had hoped the release of documents tied to the disgraced financier would put an end to a political saga that has dogged the president’s second term, but the agency remains consumed by questions and criticism over Epstein’s case and its management of the files.

Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime personal lawyer and co-executor of his estate, Darren Indyke, testified before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door session. Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) reported that Indyke claimed to have no knowledge of any relationship between Epstein and President Donald Trump. According to Fox News, Democrats on the committee immediately dismissed this claim, with Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.) suggesting Indyke may have perjured himself.

Indyke also stated he had no knowledge of Epstein’s sexual crimes before they became public. Comer noted that like other witnesses, Indyke claimed ignorance or could not recall details about Epstein's activities. Democrats accused Indyke of lying under oath and highlighted inconsistencies in his testimony regarding his interactions with women involved in the case.

Former President Bill Clinton also testified to the committee, stating that Trump had never indicated knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Comer criticized Democrats for focusing on Trump's potential liability, asserting that witnesses have refuted claims of a cover-up or Trump's involvement.