US Governance — 2026-04-08
AG Bondi Defies House Subpoena on Epstein Files, Democrats Threaten Contempt
The Department of Justice informed the House Oversight Committee that former AG Pam Bondi will not appear for her April 14 deposition in the panel's Epstein investigation, arguing the subpoena targeted her in her capacity as attorney general, a role from which Trump removed her last week. Rep. Mace (R-SC) countered that the subpoena names Bondi personally, not by title. Ranking member Garcia (D-CA) threatened contempt of Congress charges. Bondi's firing came after bipartisan pressure over DOJ's handling of the Epstein files.
The DOJ's argument that Bondi's subpoena expired with her tenure creates a procedural shield that could delay testimony indefinitely through litigation. Mace's counterargument that the subpoena names Bondi personally, not by title, is the stronger legal position, but enforcement requires a contempt vote in a Republican-controlled House. Bondi's firing by Trump over Epstein file handling, followed immediately by her refusal to testify about those files, concentrates both parties' interest in her testimony.