Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before the House Oversight Committee on May 29 as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, following a Democratic push to hold her in contempt for missing an earlier deposition. The committee announced Bondi's scheduled appearance shortly after Democrats introduced a contempt resolution, accusing her of defying a subpoena issued in her official capacity. Bondi was initially set to testify on April 14 but did not appear after being fired by President Donald Trump. The Justice Department argued the subpoena no longer applied to her in her personal capacity.
Committee Response and Bipartisan Support
House Oversight Republicans dismissed the contempt effort as "theater," noting Bondi's scheduled testimony. The subpoena was approved in March with support from five Republicans, including Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), alongside all Democrats on the panel. The committee is investigating the Justice Department's handling of Epstein-related files, which faced bipartisan criticism for delays and partial releases.
Background and Legal Context
Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2023, mandating the release of Justice Department records related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The DOJ released roughly 3 million pages but withheld millions more, citing protections for survivors and active investigations. Bondi's handling of the files drew scrutiny, and the DOJ's inspector general is reviewing compliance with the law.