DOJ Declares Former Attorney General Pam Bondi Exempt from Epstein Deposition Following Dismissal
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for a scheduled deposition in the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The department cited that Bondi is no longer serving as attorney general, having been dismissed by the Trump administration, as the basis for this decision.
Official Capacity Subpoena Rendered Invalid
According to a letter from Assistant Attorney General Patrick D. Davis to Oversight Chairman James Comer, Bondi had been subpoenaed in her official capacity, not as a private individual. Consequently, the department asserts she is not obligated to testify before Congress on April 14 regarding her role in overseeing the release of investigative files related to Epstein.
The letter explicitly stated: "Ms. Bondi no longer holds that office. As a result, because she can no longer testify in her official capacity as Attorney General, the Department's position is that the subpoena no longer obligates her to appear." It further requested confirmation that the subpoena be withdrawn.
Congressional Pushback and Bipartisan Support
Despite the DOJ's stance, members of the committee have signaled their intent to press ahead with the deposition. A spokesperson for the Republican-led panel indicated it would reach out to Bondi's personal legal team to discuss next steps in arranging her testimony.
Top Democrat on the panel, Robert Garcia, insisted the subpoena still applies regardless of Bondi's current role. "Our bipartisan subpoena is to Pam Bondi, whether she is the Attorney General or not. She must come in to testify immediately, and if she defies the subpoena, we will begin contempt proceedings in Congress," Garcia emphasized.
The subpoena was issued last month with bipartisan support, including backing from several Republicans. Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace, who led the effort, argued that the subpoena remains valid, stressing it was directed at Bondi personally, not just her title. "The American people deserve answers, and we expect her to appear as soon as a new date is set," she stated.
Administrative and Political Context
Earlier this week, Mace and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna urged Comer to publicly reaffirm that Bondi would still testify. Comer, who previously expressed reservations about the necessity of the subpoena, said he would consult with fellow Republicans before deciding on the next steps. He had earlier indicated he intended to move forward with all subpoenas related to the investigation.
Bondi's position within the administration had reportedly weakened prior to her removal, partly due to criticism over her handling of the Epstein case. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday that decisions regarding the subpoena would be left to Congress to resolve, distancing the DOJ from further involvement.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between executive and legislative branches in high-profile investigations, with the Epstein case continuing to draw significant political and public scrutiny.
