Overview
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has been subpoenaed to sit for an April 14 deposition on the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related records, a move the department called completely unnecessary.
- After a closed-door briefing with Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Democrats exited, saying Bondi would not commit to the subpoena; Bondi told reporters she would follow the law.
- The subpoena followed a March 4 vote in which five Republicans joined Democrats to authorize compelling Bondi’s testimony, reflecting bipartisan frustration with the records rollout.
- The committee says it is examining possible mismanagement, redaction practices, missing materials, the release process under the transparency law, and the circumstances of Epstein’s death, while DOJ notes lawmakers can review unredacted files at its facilities.
- Oversight is lining up additional witnesses, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, correctional officer Tova Noel on March 26, and longtime Epstein associate Darren Indyke for a deposition this week.