Democrats Slam Pam Bondi for Dodging Epstein Hearing Subpoena

Democrats in the House Oversight Committee are calling out former Attorney General Pam Bondi for stonewalling congressional oversight by refusing to appear for a hearing on the government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files. Bondi, who was subpoenaed last month, declined to testify after being fired on April 2, with the Department of Justice citing her departure as justification.

But lawmakers insist the subpoena remains in effect regardless of her job status. Congressman Robert Garcia warned on MS NOW that Bondi could face contempt of Congress if she continues to ignore the subpoena. “Legally, if somebody is under subpoena, it doesn’t matter if they change jobs or not. They’re still expected to appear before Congress,” Garcia said.

Bondi was responsible for overseeing the release of Epstein-related records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed last November to compel the publication of documents related to the convicted sex offender. Critics argue the Trump administration, with which Bondi was aligned, has deliberately withheld and heavily redacted files, undermining the law’s intent.

This controversy adds to the political headache for President Donald Trump, who initially dismissed calls for transparency as a “hoax” and “scam” but later supported the Transparency Act. Despite this, public skepticism remains high. A recent YouGov poll found a majority disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Epstein files and suspect a cover-up, with nearly half believing Trump was involved in Epstein’s crimes.

Bipartisan voices, including Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Nancy Mace, have joined demands for Bondi to testify, emphasizing that her removal as Attorney General does not erase her legal obligations. “The American people deserve to know whether Congress was misled and whether information about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates is being withheld. Pam Bondi has answers,” they said in a joint statement.

Epstein’s death in 2019 and his prior lenient plea deal remain symbols of entrenched impunity among the powerful. The refusal of key figures like Bondi to cooperate with congressional investigations only deepens public distrust and fuels calls for accountability.

As Garcia put it, “We’re demanding the truth, and we’re demanding answers. The White House playing games and continuing this cover-up is not acceptable.” The fight over the Epstein files is far from over, and Bondi’s defiance only sharpens the spotlight on systemic failures to hold elites accountable.