Bondi Tries to Duck Epstein Files Testimony After Getting Fired -- Congress Says Not So Fast

Pam Bondi thought getting fired would get her out of answering questions about the Epstein files. Congress has other ideas.

A bipartisan coalition of House Oversight Committee members is pressing the former Attorney General to honor her subpoena and testify about the Justice Department's handling of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi is scheduled to appear April 14, but her representatives claim her removal from office means she no longer has to comply.

The committee isn't buying it.

"Our bipartisan subpoena is to Pam Bondi, whether she is the Attorney General or not," said Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee's ranking member. "She must come in to testify immediately, and if she defies the subpoena, we will begin contempt charges in Congress."

Garcia made clear this isn't an empty threat: "If Pam Bondi doesn't testify, we will hold her in contempt."

Trump Fired Her for Not Prosecuting His Enemies

The timing of Bondi's attempted dodge is particularly convenient. President Trump removed her from the Attorney General position last week, reportedly frustrated that she hadn't done enough to go after his political opponents. During her brief tenure, Bondi faced mounting criticism over multiple issues -- including the Justice Department's failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

That law, which Trump himself signed on November 19, required Bondi to make public all Epstein-related files held by the Justice Department and FBI. The fact that she's now trying to avoid testifying about why that didn't happen raises obvious questions about what she's hiding.

Bipartisan Push for Accountability

Rep. Ro Khanna said he will continue working across party lines with Reps. Nancy Mace and Thomas Massie to "seek justice for survivors," emphasizing that Bondi "must still show up on April 14."

In a formal letter sent Tuesday to Committee Chairman James Comer, Khanna and Mace argued that Bondi's departure from office doesn't diminish Congress's oversight authority -- especially when questions remain about DOJ compliance with transparency requirements.

"The removal of Pam Bondi as Attorney General does not diminish the Committee's legitimate oversight interests," the letter stated. "On the contrary, it makes her sworn testimony even more important."

The lawmakers pointed to precedent, noting the committee has previously subpoenaed former officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations. A Justice Department spokesperson indicated Bondi won't appear because she was subpoenaed in her official capacity, but the committee plans to contact her personal counsel to determine next steps.

What Bondi Doesn't Want to Answer

The central question is simple: Why didn't the Justice Department comply with a law requiring transparency about Epstein files? What records exist? Who had access to them? And what role did Bondi play in withholding information from the public and from survivors seeking accountability?

"The American people deserve answers about whether Congress was misled and whether information is being withheld by the DOJ," the letter from Khanna and Mace stated.

Bondi's attempt to use her firing as a shield from accountability suggests she knows those answers won't look good. The bipartisan nature of this push -- with progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans united in demanding her testimony -- underscores how serious the oversight failures appear to be.

The Epstein case has long been marked by institutional failures to hold powerful enablers accountable. Bondi's refusal to testify would be just the latest example of elites protecting themselves while survivors wait for justice.

She can show up voluntarily on April 14, or she can face contempt charges. Either way, Congress appears determined to get answers.