Democrats Slam DOJ Official for Representing Pam Bondi in Epstein Interview, Citing Ethics Violations

House Democrats are pushing back hard against what they call a blatant conflict of interest involving the Justice Department’s handling of a congressional interview with former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. The controversy centers on Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who Democrats say is improperly representing Bondi “in an official capacity” during an upcoming interview about the DOJ’s management of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal case.

The Oversight Committee’s top Democrat, California Representative Robert Garcia, fired off a letter accusing Dhillon and the DOJ of violating agency policy by having a high-ranking DOJ official act as legal counsel for Bondi. According to Garcia, this arrangement crosses clear ethical lines and conflicts with DOJ rules that prohibit employees from practicing law outside limited personal or community service exceptions.

Garcia points to evidence that Dhillon has been involved in scheduling Bondi’s interview, including providing her official DOJ cellphone number to committee Democrats and posting on social media that Bondi “through counsel, agreed to a specific date.” The interview is set for May 29 and was arranged by the Republican majority on the Oversight Committee, who have kept Democrats out of the negotiations.

The Democrats’ concern goes beyond ethics rules to procedural fairness. House rules allow only two nongovernmental attorneys to represent a witness in depositions, explicitly barring government personnel from participating. Yet Republicans insist this is a “transcribed interview,” not a deposition, a distinction that critics argue is a loophole to avoid transparency.

Bondi, who was ousted by President Trump in April, has long been a lightning rod for criticism over the DOJ’s slow and incomplete release of Epstein-related documents. Despite a bipartisan subpoena setting an April deposition date, Bondi failed to appear, with the DOJ claiming she was not subject to the subpoena in her personal capacity.

Garcia is demanding that the May 29 interview be filmed and made public, warning that Epstein survivors and the public deserve nothing less than full transparency. He also insists that Bondi be compelled to answer all questions under subpoena threat.

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer dismissed Democratic objections, telling reporters he “doesn’t even talk to them” and accusing Democrats of constant complaining.

This dispute highlights the ongoing battle over accountability in the Epstein investigation, where powerful figures and institutions continue to resist full scrutiny. The DOJ’s apparent willingness to let one of its top officials represent a former AG under investigation raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and the integrity of the probe into Epstein’s crimes and enablers.

As Epstein survivors and advocates demand justice, the handling of this interview serves as a stark reminder: the fight for transparency and accountability faces entrenched resistance at the highest levels of government.