House Oversight Subpoenas Attorney General Bondi Over Epstein Files
Committee voted 24-19 to subpoena Bondi to testify privately amid disputes over DOJ’s release of more than 3 million Epstein documents.
FOX NewsPam Bondi faces bipartisan subpoena over frustration with DOJ's release of Epstein files
PBS NewsHourNews Wrap: House committee subpoenas Bondi over Epstein files
ABC NewsHouse Oversight Committee votes to subpoena Bondi over handling of Epstein investigation
Straight Arrow NewsHouse Oversight subpoenas Bondi over handling of the Epstein files
Overview
The House Oversight Committee voted 24-19 to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify in a closed-door deposition about the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Committee investigators said the Justice Department missed a deadline by 42 days and released more than 3 million documents that may represent roughly half of files in the department's custody.
Lawmakers criticized Justice Department redactions that exposed survivors and the release of sensitive photographs while also redacting names of people who are not survivors, prompting allegations of a cover-up.
The motion was offered by Rep. Nancy Mace and passed after five Republicans — Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud and Scott Perry — joined Democrats in supporting the subpoena.
No date has been set for Bondi's deposition, and Chairman James Comer has sent letters requesting transcribed interviews from seven others, including Bill Gates and Kathryn Ruemmler, with a deposition of Howard Lutnick expected later this month.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the dispute without editorializing, attributing loaded claims to specific actors (Mace’s “greatest cover-up” quote) while giving DOJ responses and factual context (vote totals, number of files offline, DOJ’s statement). Coverage balances criticism and rebuttal, leaving source quotes as source content rather than reporter opinion.
FAQ
Lawmakers criticized the DOJ for missing a 42-day deadline, releasing over 3 million documents (about half of the files), redactions that exposed survivors while protecting non-survivors, and releasing sensitive photographs, leading to cover-up allegations.
The motion by Rep. Nancy Mace passed 24-19, with five Republicans—Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud, and Scott Perry—joining Democrats.
AG Bondi released the first phase in February 2025 with about 200 pages of mostly previously leaked documents, later announced all files released including over 300 high-profile names, but faced criticism for delays, incomplete disclosures, and redactions.
Chairman James Comer sent letters for transcribed interviews from seven individuals including Bill Gates and Kathryn Ruemmler, with Howard Lutnick's deposition expected later this month.
The House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 18, 2025 (427-1 vote), Senate followed, Trump signed it on November 19, requiring DOJ release by December 19, 2025.
