A US congressional committee has formally summoned Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding that she answer questions over her handling of the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, James Comer, wrote in the subpoena letter that his committee is investigating the possible mismanagement of the investigation.
This development comes weeks after Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace introduced a motion to subpoena Bondi, accusing the Justice Department of a cover-up regarding the release of Epstein files. A spokesperson for the Justice Department described the subpoena as completely unnecessary.
Bondi and the Trump administration have faced increasing pressure to release all documents related to the probe. The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice's handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Comer stated.
The Justice Department has received criticism regarding its handling of the files, notably for failing to redact the names of Epstein's victims. Comer highlighted Bondi’s direct responsibility for overseeing the Department's operations concerning file releases and suggested she possesses valuable insights into these efforts.
Bondi has been requested to appear on April 14. In November, Trump signed legislation that compels the Justice Department to release all material from its investigations into Epstein. However, following the release of millions of documents, the agency faced bipartisan backlash for inadequately obscuring identifying information about survivors while protecting the identities of non-victims.
Despite the allegations, the Justice Department stated it has continued providing facts to policymakers. They emphasized that the subpoena was unwarranted as lawmakers have been invited to view the unredacted files at the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General has always been accessible for direct discussions with congressional members. Should Bondi comply with the subpoena, she will join a list of high-profile individuals to testify before the House Oversight Committee, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who appeared last month.
This development comes weeks after Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace introduced a motion to subpoena Bondi, accusing the Justice Department of a cover-up regarding the release of Epstein files. A spokesperson for the Justice Department described the subpoena as completely unnecessary.
Bondi and the Trump administration have faced increasing pressure to release all documents related to the probe. The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice's handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Comer stated.
The Justice Department has received criticism regarding its handling of the files, notably for failing to redact the names of Epstein's victims. Comer highlighted Bondi’s direct responsibility for overseeing the Department's operations concerning file releases and suggested she possesses valuable insights into these efforts.
Bondi has been requested to appear on April 14. In November, Trump signed legislation that compels the Justice Department to release all material from its investigations into Epstein. However, following the release of millions of documents, the agency faced bipartisan backlash for inadequately obscuring identifying information about survivors while protecting the identities of non-victims.
Despite the allegations, the Justice Department stated it has continued providing facts to policymakers. They emphasized that the subpoena was unwarranted as lawmakers have been invited to view the unredacted files at the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General has always been accessible for direct discussions with congressional members. Should Bondi comply with the subpoena, she will join a list of high-profile individuals to testify before the House Oversight Committee, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who appeared last month.
