In a bipartisan vote on Wednesday, the Republican-led Home Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi to testify in a closed-door deposition in entrance of the committee as a part of its probe into the dealing with of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Lawmakers on either side of the aisle have known as for Bondi’s testimony for months after the Division of Justice missed the deadline to launch the Epstein recordsdata by 42 days. Whereas DOJ launched greater than 3 million recordsdata earlier this 12 months, committee investigators estimate that complete accounts for less than half of the recordsdata within the division’s custody.
There has additionally been bipartisan consternation that the paperwork that have been finally launched did not protect each survivor’s identity and that DOJ launched delicate images in violation of the Epstein Transparency Act, which known as for redactions of that materials. Then again, the Division of Justice redacted the names of a number of people who find themselves not survivors — incensing not solely members of Congress but additionally survivors of Epstein’s crimes who cost that the administration is engaged in a cover-up.
Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi testifies earlier than the Home Judiciary Committee, February 11, 2026 in Washington.
Win McNamee/Getty Pictures
“The American public have vital questions in regards to the DOJ and their course of for releasing of the recordsdata,” Rep. Robert Garcia, the rating Democrat on the committee, stated throughout debate on the movement. “I believe the lawyer basic has gone to talk, clearly, to different committees. I believe it is vital that she is in entrance of our committee. She will be able to straight reply questions in regards to the launch of the recordsdata, about transparency, about making certain that victims and survivors are protected.”
The movement, which handed 24-19, was supplied by South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who as soon as once more bucked President Donald Trump and Republican leaders after signing a discharge petition final fall to drive the consideration of the Epstein Transparency Act. 4 different Republicans — Reps. Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud and Scott Perry — voted with Democrats to cross the movement.
A DOJ spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to ABC Information’ request for remark.
Because the committee ready to debate Mace’s movement, Oversight Chairman James Comer knowledgeable the committee that Bondi had agreed to present members a personal briefing on the standing of the Epstein paperwork. That provide was not sufficient to fulfill the coalition of lawmakers who supported the movement to subpoena Bondi.
California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, co-sponsor of the Epstein Transparency Act, counseled Mace and emphasised the bipartisan nature of the movement.
“It is about transparency. It has nothing to do with being a Democrat or a Republican. It is about going after predators and people who find themselves sexually harassing,” Khanna stated.
Lawmakers have additionally questioned who authorized the switch of Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimal safety jail in Texas days after she met with Deputy Legal professional Basic Todd Blanche. Final month, Bondi advised the Home Judiciary Committee that she didn’t personally approve the switch.
No date has been set but for Bondi’s deposition.
On Tuesday, Comer despatched letters to seven different people with ties to Epstein, together with billionaire Invoice Gates and former White Home Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, requesting transcribed interviews within the coming months as a part of the panel’s investigation. The committee can also be anticipated to interview Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at a closed-door deposition later this month.
