Fired Pam Bondi no longer has to testify over Epstein files, DOJ says
Updated April 8, 2026, 3:46 p.m. ET
Pam Bondi should not have to testify next week about her handling of millions of files related to the accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, a top Justice Department official argued in an April 8 letter to Congress.
Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis wrote to Rep. James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that Bondi is not bound by a subpoena anymore since she is no longer the attorney general. The subpoena was issued after a bipartisan vote by lawmakers on the panel in early March, about a month before President Donald Trump fired Bondi on April 2.
“We kindly ask that you confirm that the subpoena is withdrawn,” Davis said. “The Department remains committed to working cooperatively with the Committee and continues to believe that additional compulsory process is unnecessary in light of our demonstrated willingness to voluntarily assist your oversight efforts.”
The letter created a cloud of uncertainty around Bondi’s scheduled Tuesday, April 14 deposition. It also set off frustration among Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill who are clamoring for answers about why the Justice Department hasn’t, in their view, fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“A Department of Justice with nothing to hide doesn’t avoid a subpoena,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, said in a social media post. Mace was one of several GOP lawmakers who voted to compel Bondi to testify about the bungled release of the Epstein files.
Officials on the GOP-led House Oversight Committee said they planned to reach out to Bondi’s personal lawyers about scheduling a deposition.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, the top Democrat on the panel and a vocal advocate for Epstein survivors, said in a statement that the subpoena still applies to Bondi “whether she is the attorney general or not.” He said he would push to hold her in contempt of Congress if she defied the order. Conviction of criminal contempt charges can come with jail time.
“The survivors deserve justice,” he said.
Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.
DOCUMENTED REFERENCES
Exploring Documented Records
Public interest in the Epstein case continues not only because of court proceedings and testimonies, but also due to the growing body of documented records that help researchers and readers understand the broader context. Beyond legal files and media reports, some independent projects have organized publicly available data connected to Epstein’s activities.
One example is a structured archive of documented Amazon order records, where purchases are cataloged with dates and product details. While individual items do not prove wrongdoing on their own, examining documented information alongside established facts helps paint a clearer picture of the environment and circumstances surrounding the case.
Browse the structured archive of documented order records
For readers looking to review primary-source style data rather than interpretations, exploring compiled records can provide additional context to the broader discussion.
