Justice Department Claims Bondi Can Dodge Epstein Deposition After Getting Fired

The Justice Department is trying to help Pam Bondi dodge accountability for her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, claiming she no longer has to appear for a congressional deposition because Trump fired her last week.

In a letter to House Oversight Chairman James Comer, Assistant Attorney General Patrick D. Davis argued that Bondi was subpoenaed in her official capacity as attorney general, not as a private citizen. Since she no longer holds that office, the department says the subpoena "no longer obligates her to appear" on April 14.

"We kindly ask that you confirm that the subpoena is withdrawn," Davis wrote -- a polite way of asking Congress to let a key witness off the hook.

Congress Isn't Having It

The House Oversight Committee issued that subpoena on a bipartisan basis, with five Republicans joining Democrats to compel Bondi's testimony about how she oversaw the public release of DOJ investigative files on the late convicted sex offender. That kind of bipartisan agreement doesn't happen often, and the panel has no intention of backing down now.

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

A committee spokeswoman said the panel will contact Bondi's personal attorney to schedule the deposition -- making clear they view this as her personal obligation, not something that evaporates with a job title.

Bondi's Epstein Stumbles Helped Sink Her

Bondi's mishandling of the Epstein files contributed to her downfall in the Trump administration. Before she was fired, she faced mounting criticism over how the Justice Department released investigative materials related to Epstein's sex trafficking operation and the powerful people in his orbit.

The committee subpoenaed Bondi last month after she appeared for a voluntary closed-door meeting that sources described as contentious. Some conservative hardliners initially suggested they might reconsider the subpoena after that meeting, but Democrats and several Republicans pushed back hard.

Just this week, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Nancy Mace sent a letter to Comer urging him to "publicly reaffirm" that Bondi would appear as scheduled. The bipartisan pressure reflects how seriously lawmakers take the Epstein investigation -- and how little patience they have for witnesses who try to wriggle out of testifying.

Comer's Complicated Position

Chairman Comer didn't vote for the subpoena in the first place, saying he didn't think it was necessary. But he indicated before Bondi's firing that he planned to honor it.

"I don't know what is going to happen. We'll talk to the Republicans. But as of now, I plan on moving forward with all of our subpoenas," Comer said over the weekend.

Comer has said he would need to consult legal counsel about how to rescind a subpoena if he wanted to -- suggesting the process isn't as simple as the Justice Department seems to think.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche punted when asked about the subpoena Tuesday, saying he would "leave that to Chairman Comer and others to figure out."

Why This Matters

The Epstein files represent one of the most significant transparency fights in recent memory. Survivors of Epstein's trafficking operation and the public have demanded accountability not just for Epstein himself, but for the powerful enablers who helped him operate with impunity for years.

Bondi oversaw the Justice Department during a critical period when decisions were made about what to release and what to keep hidden. Her testimony could shed light on whether political considerations influenced those decisions -- and whether the Trump administration prioritized protecting certain individuals over full transparency.

The Justice Department's argument that a subpoena disappears when someone leaves office sets a dangerous precedent. If officials can avoid congressional oversight simply by resigning or getting fired, it creates a massive accountability loophole. Witnesses would have every incentive to run out the clock until they're no longer in their positions.

House Oversight appears ready to fight that interpretation. Whether Bondi shows up voluntarily or faces contempt proceedings, this fight is far from over.