The congressional standoff over the Jeffrey Epstein files has entered a new phase, with House Democrats moving formally toward contempt proceedings against former Attorney General Pam Bondi after she declined to appear for a scheduled deposition on April 14, and the Department of Justice arguing that her firing by President Trump rendered the subpoena void.
Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas made the sharpest public statement after Bondi’s no-show. “Pam Bondi refused to show up for today’s Oversight deposition — defying our lawful subpoena,” Crockett wrote on X. “She is responsible for leading the White House cover-up of the Epstein files. Since she didn’t show up, Oversight Democrats will move to hold her in contempt of Congress.”
The Oversight Committee had subpoenaed Bondi in a bipartisan March vote that included five Republicans — Reps. Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud and Scott Perry — alongside every Democrat on the panel. The bipartisan backing gave the demand unusual weight, reflecting widespread frustration across party lines with the DOJ’s handling of Epstein disclosures.
The DOJ’s legal position, set out in a letter from Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis, was that the subpoena was addressed to Bondi in her official capacity as attorney general, a role she no longer holds since Trump dismissed her on April 2, reportedly over his dissatisfaction with her management of the Epstein files release. “The Department’s position is that the subpoena no longer obligates her to appear,” Davis wrote, asking the committee to confirm the subpoena was withdrawn.
Democrats and several Republican members have flatly rejected that argument. Ranking member Robert Garcia said Bondi is “evading a lawful congressional subpoena” and that her departure from DOJ does not extinguish the legal obligation. Mace reinforced the position, writing that Bondi “cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office.”
The committee has separately scheduled Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for a May 6 interview, and confirmed that Bill Gates will testify on June 10 about his relationship with Epstein. House Oversight chairman James Comer has remained non-committal on whether he will actually pursue contempt, an outcome that would require support from at least three Republicans and a full House vote. Democrats argue his silence is enabling Bondi’s continued defiance.
