House Oversight Committee Votes to Subpoena AG Bondi Over Epstein File Handling
The House Oversight Committee approved a motion to compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files, including the removal of 48,000 documents and withholding of FBI interview memos.
Congress Takes Action
The House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer questions about the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein investigation files and documents required by law to be released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Why the Subpoena
The subpoena comes after weeks of controversy over the DOJ's management of the Epstein file releases:
- 47,635 files removed from the public database without prior notice
- FBI interview memos withheld related to allegations against President Trump, discovered by NPR and CNN investigations
- Survivor information exposed through inadequate redactions
- Ongoing questions about criteria used to withhold or remove documents
The Transparency Act
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Trump on November 19, 2025, required the DOJ to publish all Epstein-related investigation materials. The department published over 3.5 million pages in compliance with the act, but subsequent revelations about missing and removed files have raised questions about full compliance.
DOJ's Position
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has maintained that files were withheld to protect survivors and avoid interference with ongoing investigations. The DOJ has said many removed files will be restored after proper redactions.
What's Next
Attorney General Bondi will be required to appear before the committee to explain the department's decisions about which files to publish, which to withhold, and the process for restoring removed documents to the public database.