The Justice Department has argued that Pam Bondi will no longer have to appear before Congress while lawmakers threaten contempt charges.
Former US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was fired by President Donald Trump last week, will not be required to testify about her conduct of the investigation into the late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced.
In a letter explaining the decision, the DOJ argued that Bondy was subpoenaed to appear before Congress in his official capacity – a role he no longer holds – making the demand invalid. However, lawmakers from both parties have insisted he is legally obliged to appear.
“Removing Pam Bondi from her position as Attorney General does not diminish the Committee’s legitimate oversight interest in taking her sworn testimony,” Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace and her fellow lawmaker, Democrat Ro Khanna, have said.
Mace further insisted that Bondi “Can’t escape accountability just because she is no longer in office,” And that’s his testimony “Even more important” Now.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia has threatened to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings if Bondy does not attend, and has insisted that she must attend. “Come immediately to testify” Epstein files and about “White House Cover-up.”
Critics have also noted that the DOJ’s reasoning for granting immunity to Bondi contradicts the fact that six former attorneys general have already testified in the Epstein case, including Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Bill Barr, Merrick Garland, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales.
Bondi’s denial comes as the Trump administration has come under intense criticism over its handling of the Epstein files since Congress passed a law last year requiring the DOJ to release all declassified records related to the financier, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
In February 2025, Bondy told Fox News that Epstein “Customer List” Was “Just sitting at my desk to review,” Expectations of explosive revelations are gaining strength. However, by July, the DOJ announced that no such list ever existed and that it had no plans to release additional documents.
Bondy’s refusal to publish the entire Epstein files has been widely ridiculed, including by both Democrats and Republicans. The former officer also reportedly had to move into military accommodation due to increasing threats.
It is unclear whether Bondi will ultimately be forced to testify, but the House Oversight Committee continues to investigate Epstein’s network of powerful associates.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is scheduled to testify in a closed-door written interview in June. Gates has not been accused of any misconduct, and his representatives say “I welcome the opportunity to appear before the committee.”
Other prominent figures who have already testified include former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell and billionaire Les Wexner.
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