Pam Bondi defies House subpoena over Epstein files

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not comply with a https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/house-oversight-subpoena-pam-bondi-epstein" target="_blank">subpoena to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next week for questioning on her handling of the https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/epstein-files-release-january-trump-clinton" target="_blank">Epstein files.

Why it matters: Lawmakers in both parties are https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/pam-bondi-fired-democrats-congress-epstein-files" target="_blank">frustrated with how the Justice Department handled the Epstein files, and see Bondi's testimony as key to getting answers in their months-long investigation into Epstein.

• Bondi, who was https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/pam-bondi-attorney-general-out" target="_blank">ousted from her post earlier this month, previously told reporters she will "follow the law" in responding to a subpoena from the panel.
• "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 committee spokesperson said.
• The panel will reach out to Bondi's personal attorney "to discuss next steps," the spokesperson added.

Catch up quick: The Oversight Committee voted on a bipartisan basis to https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/house-oversight-subpoena-pam-bondi-epstein" target="_blank">subpoena Bondi last month, while she was still serving as attorney general.

• The motion was offered by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and every Democrat — plus GOP Reps.

  Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Lauren Boebert (Colo.) and Scott Perry (Pa.) — voted in favor of the subpoena.

• Democratic members on the panel stormed out of https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/pam-bondi-impeach-epstein-democrats-briefing" target="_blank">a closed-door briefing with Bondi last month, saying she refused to answer key questions or would not commit to testifying under oath before the committee

State of play: The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), accused Bondi of "trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify" in a statement on Wednesday and threatened to hold her in contempt of Congress.

• Such a move would require support from at least three Republicans on the panel and a vote by the full House.
• House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters last month that "we'll talk about it" when pressed on whether they would move to hold Bondi in contempt.
• But Mace said in a https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/2041906771074138402?s=20" target="_blank">statement on X Wednesday that Bondi "will still have to appear before the Oversight Committee for a sworn deposition."