Pam Bondi Forced to Testify on Epstein Files After Defying House Oversight Subpoena

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has secured a May 29 date for former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Department of Justice’s controversial handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the release of related files. This development comes after Bondi defied a subpoena and skipped her scheduled deposition earlier this month, prompting Democrats on the committee to file a civil contempt resolution against her.

Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, blasted Bondi’s refusal to cooperate, stating she “illegally defied our committee, skipped her deposition, and has refused to cooperate.” Garcia emphasized that the contempt measure is necessary “to hold her accountable” for stonewalling efforts to uncover the truth behind Epstein’s network and DOJ’s transparency failures.

Bondi was subpoenaed last month while still serving as Florida’s attorney general. Republican Chair James Comer’s subpoena cited “questions regarding the DOJ’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.” The Justice Department has faced heavy criticism for missing the Act’s December 19 deadline to release Epstein-related files, instead dumping what it called the “full files” on January 31. Survivors and lawmakers alike have raised alarms about improper disclosures and questionable redactions, but the DOJ insists it acted lawfully.

After Donald Trump removed Bondi from office, the DOJ informed the committee that she would not appear for the April 14 deposition, arguing the subpoena no longer applied since it targeted her in her official capacity as attorney general. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis wrote that “Ms Bondi no longer holds that office” and thus was not obligated to testify.

Democrats rejected this dodge. Garcia insisted Bondi “has extensive personal knowledge about the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files,” making her testimony critical regardless of her current job title. Shortly after Democrats filed contempt charges, committee Republicans announced Bondi’s testimony date, prompting Democrats to call out the timing as a direct response to the pressure.

The Justice Department has yet to comment on the latest developments.

This showdown spotlights the ongoing battle to hold Trump-era officials accountable for their role in covering up Epstein’s crimes and obstructing transparency. Bondi’s reluctant return to the witness chair could finally shed light on how deep the corruption and collusion ran inside the DOJ during one of the darkest scandals of the last decade. We will be watching closely as the May 29 hearing approaches.