Democrats on the Home Oversight Committee are demanding that Committee Chairman James Comer usher in performing Legal professional Common Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to reply questions “instantly” as a part of the panel’s probe into convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Rating Member Robert Garcia on Tuesday despatched Comer a letter, which was first obtained by ABC Information, requesting that Blanche and Patel seem for separate videotaped transcribed interviews earlier than the committee as questions mount over their dealing with of the Epstein recordsdata.
The GOP-controlled committee to this point has not video recorded any of its transcribed interviews, solely depositions.
“Given the deep involvement of Director Patel and Mr. Blanche, the Committee can not credibly proceed its investigation with out their videotaped, transcribed testimony,” Garcia wrote within the letter to Comer.
In an announcement to ABC Information, Garcia stated the panel’s closed-door interview last week of former Legal professional Common Pam Bondi “made one factor clear: we have to discuss to Performing Legal professional Common Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.”
“These company leaders have been straight concerned within the cowl up of the Epstein recordsdata and botched roll-out of the paperwork, which re-victimized survivors and made a mockery of our Justice Division. Oversight Democrats are demanding solutions straight from the supply,” Garcia stated.
Bondi, throughout her look on Friday, informed lawmakers that Blanche was delegated duty for overseeing the discharge of the hundreds of thousands of Epstein recordsdata.
Jeffrey Epstein is seen on this picture launched by the Division of Justice in Washington, December 19, 2025
U.S. Justice Division
Garcia wrote within the letter that Bondi referenced Blanche’s title 30 instances throughout Friday’s interview and pointed to him “because the individual liable for DOJ’s actions involving the assessment, withholding, and botched launch of Epstein-related information.”
Democrats additionally wish to query Blanche over his involvement in convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell’s jail switch. Bondi testified, in accordance with a supply conversant in her testimony, that she opposed a pardon for Maxwell and was unaware of the switch till after it occurred.
“Moderately than present solutions in her testimony, Ms. Bondi repeatedly shifted duty to Performing Legal professional Common Todd Blanche,” he stated.
The letter comes the identical day that Blanche is slated to testify on Capitol Hill earlier than a Home appropriations subcommittee.
Blanche’s testimony may spark fireworks after Bondi’s transcribed interview on Friday, the place she testified that she delegated compliance with the Epstein Transparency Act to her then-deputy.
Garcia stated Democrats wish to hear from Patel, who Bondi steadily named throughout her interview as additionally overseeing the discharge of the Epstein recordsdata. Democrats stated they have been alarmed by Bondi referring to Patel repeatedly through the interview.
“By Ms. Bondi’s personal account, Director Patel was concerned in finding, reviewing, and probably redacting FBI information regarding Jeffrey Epstein. Ms. Bondi even raised considerations that the FBI had beforehand withheld materials from the DOJ,” Garica wrote.
Comer, in feedback made final Friday, stated that each events bear duty for the failures surrounding Epstein, the rich financier who died by suicide in 2019 whereas awaiting trial on costs of sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of minor women at his houses in New York and Palm Seashore, Florida.
“The federal government has failed the survivors. There is no query about that,” Comer stated. “And that dates again 5 presidential administrations. We’re taking this investigation severely.”
