Former Florida AG Bondi won't appear for House deposition on Epstein case

Bondi was subpoenaed in her capacity as attorney general, but the DOJ says she won't testify since she's no longer in office.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic interior of a government office with a lone desk and chair, the space bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, evoking a sense of solitude and unresolved tension.The quiet, somber atmosphere of a government office reflects the unresolved questions surrounding the Epstein investigations.Washington Today

The Department of Justice has indicated that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for a scheduled deposition next week before a House committee investigating how the government handled its investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi faced scrutiny over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case files, and the committee subpoenaed her in a bipartisan vote last month.

Why it matters

Bondi's testimony could shed light on the Justice Department's actions regarding the Epstein investigations, which have been a source of controversy. Her refusal to appear raises questions about government accountability and transparency around high-profile cases.

The details

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi to testify on April 14, but the DOJ has signaled she will not appear since she is no longer the attorney general. The committee had sought her testimony in her capacity as the former AG. Some Republicans who had joined Democrats in subpoenaing Bondi say they will insist on having her appear, while the top Democrat on the committee has threatened to pursue contempt of Congress charges if she does not testify.

  • Bondi was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee in a bipartisan vote last month.
  • Bondi was ousted from her position as Florida Attorney General by President Trump on April 2, 2026.

The players

Pam Bondi

Former Attorney General of Florida who faced scrutiny over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case files.

House Oversight Committee

The congressional committee investigating the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigations.

Donald Trump

The President who announced Bondi's ouster from his Cabinet on April 2, 2026.

Todd Blanche

The Deputy Attorney General who has been elevated to the top job at the Justice Department, at least on an acting basis, after Bondi's departure.

Nancy Mace

The Republican Representative who initiated the motion to compel Bondi's appearance before the committee.

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What they’re saying

“Bondi cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office of Attorney General.”

— Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative

“Now that Pam Bondi has been fired, she's trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify before the Oversight Committee about the Epstein files and the White House cover-up.”

— Robert Garcia, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee will contact Bondi's personal counsel to discuss the next steps about scheduling the interview, according to a spokeswoman for the committee.

The takeaway

Bondi's refusal to testify before the House Oversight Committee raises concerns about government transparency and accountability, particularly around high-profile cases like the Epstein investigations. The committee's insistence on her appearance suggests a bipartisan effort to get to the bottom of the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files.