Trending Now - Congress Demands Bondi's Testimony in Epstein Investigation

WHO:

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.)

Attorney General Pam Bondi

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.)

Katie Miller, former Trump administration spokesperson

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.)

Attorney General Pam Bondi

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

House Oversight and Reform Committee

WHAT:

James Comer issued a subpoena to Pam Bondi on March 17, 2026, requiring her to appear for a deposition on April 14, 2026.

The committee voted on March 4, 2026, to approve the subpoena with five Republican votes in favor and all Democratic members.

The committee is investigating the “possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation” into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, stating, “I do defend the work that this department is doing today, right now, which is going after every single perpetrator anywhere.”

Blanche asserted that the Justice Department does not have new evidence to prosecute anyone for crimes related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Justice Department began releasing 3 million pages of documents, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, related to the Epstein case on January 30, 2026.

James Comer stated in the subpoena cover letter, “As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the Committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts.”

The committee's investigation includes reviewing the “possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation of Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell, the circumstances and subsequent investigations of Mr. Epstein’s death, the operation of sex-trafficking rings and ways for the federal government to effectively combat them, the ways in which Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell sought to curry favor and exercise influence to protect their illegal activities, and potential violations of ethics rules related to elected officials.”

Bondi could opt to ignore the subpoena, which might result in a vote to hold her in contempt of Congress.

James Comer issued a subpoena to Pam Bondi for a deposition.

The subpoena requires Bondi to appear on April 14, 2026.

The committee is investigating the “possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation” into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The committee voted on March 4, 2026, to approve the subpoena with five Republican votes in favor and all Democratic members.

The Department of Justice began releasing Epstein documents on December 19, 2025.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law by Trump in November 2025.

WHERE:

Washington, D.C. (House Oversight Committee hearings)

WHEN:

The closed-door briefing with committee members is scheduled for March 18, 2026.

Subpoena issued on March 17, 2026.

Deposition scheduled for April 14, 2026.

Committee vote on subpoena occurred on March 4, 2026.

DOJ began releasing documents on December 19, 2025.

WHY:

Comer stated, “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.”

Blanche's comments were made in response to ongoing criticism regarding the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein investigation and the release of related files.

The committee believes Bondi possesses valuable insight into the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein investigation and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The investigation aims to address concerns over the handling of Epstein's case and potential legislative changes to strengthen federal anti-trafficking efforts.

HOW:

The subpoena was issued as part of the committee's oversight authority to compel testimony and document production.

Blanche invited anyone with evidence related to Epstein to come to the FBI, stating, “what I can do as the deputy general is invite anybody with evidence to come to the FBI and tell us.”

The committee indicated that the probe could lead to legislative changes aimed at strengthening federal anti-trafficking efforts and reforming the use of non-prosecution and plea agreements in sex-crime cases.

The subpoena was issued as part of the committee's oversight authority to compel testimony and document production.

Bondi and Todd Blanche offered to provide a private briefing to committee members.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:21 UTC)

House Oversight Chair James Comer has issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, requiring her to appear for a deposition on April 14, as part of an investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The committee, which voted to approve the subpoena on March 4 with five Republican votes in favor and all Democrats opposed, is looking into the possible mismanagement of the investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Comer emphasized the need for answers regarding the Department of Justice's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 07:19 UTC)

In a closed-door briefing today, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing every perpetrator involved. He stated that there is currently no new evidence to prosecute anyone for crimes related to Epstein, despite the recent release of 3 million pages of documents and thousands of videos and images. Blanche also encouraged anyone with evidence related to Epstein to come forward to the FBI, reinforcing the department's ongoing efforts in the investigation.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:28 UTC)

In a significant development, James Comer has issued a subpoena cover letter to Attorney General Bondi, emphasizing her responsibility in overseeing the Department's efforts related to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The committee's investigation is broad, focusing on the potential mismanagement of the federal government's inquiries into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the operation of sex-trafficking rings and possible ethical violations by elected officials. If Bondi chooses to ignore the subpoena, it could lead to a vote to hold her in contempt of Congress, while the committee suggests that this probe may result in legislative changes to enhance federal anti-trafficking measures.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:25 UTC)

In a significant development today, House Oversight Chair James Comer issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, requiring her to appear for a deposition on April 14, 2026, as part of the committee's investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases. The subpoena was approved on March 4, 2026, with five Republican votes in favor, and the committee believes Bondi has crucial insights regarding the Department of Justice's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Trump signed into law in November 2025. Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have offered to provide a private briefing to committee members as they continue to address concerns over the management of Epstein's case.