POLITICS
House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi over Justice Department handling of Epstein files
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has been subpoenaed by a congressional committee investigating how the Justice Department handled and released files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
2 min read
By Aurax Radio — Updated March 18, 2026
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has been subpoenaed to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The US House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi as part of its investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The subpoena requires Bondi to appear before lawmakers for a closed-door deposition on April 14 to answer questions about the federal government’s investigation into Epstein and the release of millions of related documents.
The move follows growing bipartisan frustration in Congress over how the Justice Department reviewed and disclosed files connected to Epstein’s sex-trafficking case. The subpoena was approved by the committee earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure.
Scrutiny over Epstein files
Lawmakers say Bondi, as attorney general, played a central role in overseeing the collection, review and release of the documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Congress mandated the release of the files after years of public pressure to reveal details about Epstein’s network and possible associates. However, critics have accused the Justice Department of withholding or heavily redacting parts of the material.
Some lawmakers have also raised concerns that the release process exposed private information about victims while simultaneously shielding the identities of individuals linked to Epstein’s activities.
Financier Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating how the Justice Department handled the release of Epstein-related files.
Justice Department response
The Justice Department has dismissed the subpoena as unnecessary, saying Bondi and senior officials had already offered to brief members of Congress and provide access to unredacted documents.
Officials argue that millions of pages of material have already been released and that the department acted in compliance with the transparency law governing the Epstein files.
Despite those assurances, pressure on the administration has continued from both Democrats and some Republicans who say the public still lacks full transparency about the Epstein investigation.
Growing political controversy
The subpoena underscores the enduring controversy surrounding Epstein, whose 2019 death in federal custody and ties to wealthy and powerful figures have fueled years of political debate and conspiracy theories.
The House investigation now seeks to determine whether the Justice Department properly managed the review of the documents and whether additional information about Epstein’s network remains undisclosed.
Bondi’s testimony could become a flashpoint in Washington as lawmakers push for greater transparency in one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in recent US history.
Sources: AP News, CNN, Politico, Washington Post
