Pam Bondi Dodges House Deposition in Epstein Probe After Trump Ouster

Pam Bondi, the former Attorney General who faced intense scrutiny over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, is refusing to show up for a House Oversight Committee deposition set for April 14. The Department of Justice informed the committee that Bondi will not appear, arguing that since she no longer holds the office, the subpoena issued in her official capacity no longer applies.

This move comes just days after President Donald Trump ousted Bondi from his Cabinet, a shakeup that Bondi herself acknowledged on social media, pledging to “work tirelessly to transition the office.” However, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has stepped in as acting head of the department, while Bondi remains listed as Attorney General on the DOJ website—a confusing state of affairs that underscores the opacity surrounding the transition.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi last month in a rare bipartisan vote, reflecting deep concern over the Justice Department’s bungled release of millions of Epstein-related case files. The files, which expose the extent of Epstein’s trafficking and the failures of government institutions to hold powerful enablers accountable, were released late and riddled with errors, raising questions about possible cover-ups.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who spearheaded the effort to compel Bondi’s testimony, slammed Bondi’s attempt to evade accountability. “Bondi cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office of Attorney General,” Mace said. “The motion was done by name, not by title. We expect her to appear as soon as a new date is set.”

Democrats echoed this resolve. Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, warned that Bondi’s refusal to testify could lead to contempt of Congress charges. “Now that Pam Bondi has been fired, she’s trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify before the Oversight Committee about the Epstein files and the White House cover-up,” Garcia stated.

The committee’s chair, Republican Rep. James Comer, has shown no hesitation in wielding subpoena power against high-profile figures, having previously subpoenaed Bill and Hillary Clinton. Bondi’s defiance sets the stage for a contentious battle over congressional oversight and the pursuit of justice for Epstein’s victims.

This latest development highlights a troubling pattern: officials implicated in the Epstein scandal attempting to dodge accountability once their political cover is gone. The fight to uncover the full truth behind the Epstein files—and the government’s failures—continues, with no shortage of obstruction from those who once held power.