House Subpoenas Pam Bondi for Testimony on Epstein Files
Washington D.C. – The House Oversight Committee voted on Wednesday to subpoena U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, compelling her testimony regarding the Justice Department’s handling of records related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The vote, 24-19, reflects growing bipartisan frustration over the release of Epstein-related documents.
Bipartisan Support for Subpoena
Five Republican members of the House Oversight Committee joined Democrats in approving the motion to subpoena Bondi. Republican Representatives Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Michael Cloud of Texas, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania all voted in favor. Representative Mace, who introduced the motion, stated on X (formerly Twitter), “The American people want answers on the Epstein files, and so do we.”
Concerns Over Epstein Files Release
The move comes amid criticism of the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files, including the accidental release of survivor names and the unexplained redaction of names of individuals potentially involved in criminal activity. The committee had previously subpoenaed the Justice Department for the files in July, receiving thousands of documents in response. A law passed in November mandated the public release of all files in a searchable database, but concerns remain about missing documents – including over 65,000 documents and more than 2,000 videos – and the handling of sensitive information.
Allegations of Withheld Documents
Recent reports indicate that certain documents, detailing an unsubstantiated accusation against former President Donald Trump, were not initially made public. These documents involve summaries of FBI interviews with a woman claiming she was sexually assaulted by both Trump and Epstein in the 1980s. The Justice Department is currently investigating whether it wrongfully withheld these documents.
Bondi’s Defense and Criticism
Bondi has defended the department’s actions and accused Democrats of using the issue to divert attention from former President Trump’s accomplishments. However, Representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat on the committee, has accused Bondi of being “central to the White House’s attempt to cover up the Epstein files.”
Related Developments
The subpoena of Bondi follows a similar action regarding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who agreed to a voluntary deposition concerning his relationship with Epstein. Lutnick had previously misrepresented the extent of his connection to Epstein, failing to disclose a lunch visit to Epstein’s island in 2012.
The Justice Department has been contacted for comment.