Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for her scheduled April 14 deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to a statement from the committee released Wednesday. The Justice Department's stance, as communicated to the committee, is that the subpoena for Bondi's testimony is no longer valid because she was fired as Attorney General by President Donald Trump on April 2 and was subpoenaed in her official capacity.
The Justice Department contends that Bondi, having been dismissed from her role as Attorney General, is no longer obligated to appear, as the subpoena was directed at her "in her official capacity" and not her personal one. This assertion has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats on the committee, who have threatened to pursue 'contempt of Congress' charges against Bondi if she fails to testify. Republicans on the committee have indicated a willingness to work with Bondi's personal counsel to reschedule her testimony in a personal capacity.
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The committee had formally subpoenaed Bondi last month to answer questions regarding the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and its subsequent release of related documents. Bondi's tenure has been under scrutiny for the way these files were managed, with widespread criticism for allegedly withholding significant portions of evidence. The timing of her firing and subsequent refusal to testify has fueled claims that her exit was engineered to avoid her deposition.
Survivors of Epstein's abuse have expressed anger at Bondi's intended absence, emphasizing their demand for justice. The House Oversight Committee, despite the Justice Department's reasoning, has signaled its intent to continue pursuing Bondi's testimony as its investigation extends into the summer. This development follows other high-profile figures being called to testify, including Bill Gates, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Maxwell, many of whom have either testified or are scheduled to do so.
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The controversy centers on the Justice Department's assertion that because Bondi was subpoenaed as Attorney General and no longer holds that office, the subpoena is "moot." This argument, detailed in a letter from Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis, suggests the subpoena "no longer obligates her to appear." The committee, however, disputes this reasoning, with members asserting that oversight authority does not cease upon an official leaving office. Bondi herself had stated her intention to remain for a month to assist with the transition to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, but the committee maintains she is still required to testify.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was introduced by committee member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, further complicates the situation, highlighting ongoing legislative efforts related to the handling of these sensitive documents. The committee's investigation into Epstein and those who may have facilitated his crimes remains a focal point, with Bondi's testimony seen as crucial by many parties involved.
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