Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is now scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on May 29 to answer questions about the handling of the Epstein files, following her failure to attend a previously ordered deposition. The committee confirmed the new date, which was negotiated through Bondi's personal attorney.
Bondi had been subpoenaed to testify after Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a surprise motion in March, which garnered support from four other Republicans and all Democrats on the panel. The subpoena marked a rare bipartisan push for transparency in the long-running Epstein scandal, which has continued to shadow political figures and international visits.
The development comes as Democratic members of the committee introduced a resolution to hold Bondi in contempt for defying the initial subpoena. Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) issued a sharp statement, accusing Bondi of illegally stonewalling the investigation. “Pam Bondi has illegally defied our committee, skipped her deposition, and has refused to cooperate. We have introduced a contempt resolution to hold her accountable,” Garcia said.
Garcia further alleged that Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) was deliberately delaying the process. “He is trying to run out the clock on Bondi,” Garcia added, suggesting that the Republican leadership was not pushing hard enough for answers. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the committee over how aggressively to pursue the Epstein matter.
Bondi’s testimony is considered critical because of her direct knowledge of how the Trump administration handled the Epstein files. The controversy has also drawn attention from the Justice Department’s watchdog, which recently launched an audit of the Epstein records release after pressure from Senator Dick Durbin. The DOJ Inspector General is now auditing the release amid bipartisan fury over potential mishandling.
The Epstein scandal has remained a politically charged issue, with some figures alleging that powerful individuals were protected. The case has also intersected with other controversies, including a recent incident where a suspect’s manifesto cited an Epstein smear, leading to a thwarted attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The Secret Service intervened to prevent the attack, underscoring the volatile nature of the topic.
Bondi’s upcoming testimony is expected to be closely watched, as it could shed light on whether the Trump administration exerted influence over the release of Epstein-related documents. The committee has not yet released further details about the scope of the questioning, but both parties are likely to press Bondi on her role and communications regarding the files.
This story is developing, and further updates are anticipated as the May 29 hearing approaches.
