Pam Bondi still on the hook for Epstein testimony, Oversight panel says

House Republicans indicated Wednesday they will continue to seek sworn testimony from Pam Bondi on the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, even after her ousting as attorney general.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi for an April 14 deposition, but that date was never confirmed by Bondi, and the panel said in a statement that it will continue to seek a date for her testimony.

“The Department of Justice has stated Pam Bondi will not appear on April 14 for a deposition since she is no longer Attorney General and was subpoenaed in her capacity as Attorney General,” a spokeswoman for Oversight Republicans said in a statement. “The Committee will contact Pam Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss next steps regarding scheduling her deposition.”

Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) issued a subpoena to Bondi last month after five Republican lawmakers on the panel joined with Democrats to compel her testimony. The campaign to force Bondi to sit for questioning was championed by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who brought the motion during a hearing.

The committee's statement came after the Justice Department, in a letter to Comer obtained by POLITICO, appeared to request that Bondi be excused from testifying given her departure from DOJ.

"We kindly ask that you confirm that the subpoena is withdrawn," wrote assistant attorney general Patrick Davis, adding that DOJ "continues to believe that additional compulsory process is unnecessary in light of our demonstrated willingness to voluntarily assist your oversight efforts."

That argument is not likely to satisfy the members who subpoenaed Bondi, especially since one former Trump attorney general — William Barr, who presided over DOJ when Epstein was found dead in a federal jail cell — has already testified to the panel.

The top Oversight Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, accused Bondi of “trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify” in a statement Wednesday.

“She must come in to testify immediately, and if she defies the subpoena, we will begin contempt charges in the Congress,” Garcia said. “The survivors deserve justice.”

The subpoena cover letter from Comer stated the then-attorney general was to appear on April 14. Customarily, subpoenas include a placeholder date and then attorneys negotiate a mutually agreeable schedule.

Todd Blanche, Bondi’s onetime deputy, is now acting attorney general. Blanche has also played an integral role in the Justice Department’s response to the Epstein case and interviewed his only convicted co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, in Tallahassee, Florida, in July.

In a statement on X last week, Bondi said she would work over the next month to transition her role to Blanche and then move “to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration.”

Oversight Democrats argue that despite her departure from the Justice Department, Bondi must still answer lawmakers' questions. A committee spokesperson said last week that Comer would confer with his Republican members and the Justice Department about next steps.

The committee has transcribed interviews scheduled for the coming months with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, tech mogul Bill Gates and other figures who interacted with Epstein.