Bondi skips House deposition amid Epstein investigation fallout

The Department of Justice has confirmed that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not attend a scheduled deposition next week before a House committee investigating the government's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case. Jessica Collins, a spokeswoman for the House Oversight Committee, stated that Bondi will not appear on April 14 because she is no longer attorney general and was subpoenaed in that capacity. The committee plans to reach out to Bondi's personal counsel to discuss rescheduling the interview.

Bondi has faced scrutiny over the Justice Department's management of the Epstein files, which included numerous errors and missed deadlines. Following her ouster by President Donald Trump on April 2, Bondi announced her intention to work on transitioning the office. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has since taken over as the acting head of the department. Despite her removal, some Republicans, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who initiated the subpoena, insist that Bondi must still appear before the committee. Mace emphasized that the subpoena was issued by name, not title, stating, "Bondi cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office of Attorney General." Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, echoed this sentiment, threatening contempt of Congress charges if Bondi fails to comply.

The dynamics surrounding Bondi's deposition highlight a growing bipartisan effort to hold former officials accountable for their actions during the Epstein investigations. With the committee's history of enforcing subpoenas against high-profile figures, such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, the pressure on Bondi intensifies as she navigates her new status outside of the Cabinet. The strategic play here is clear: both parties are leveraging the situation to assert their authority and demonstrate accountability in the wake of a highly controversial investigation.

What to watch: The House Oversight Committee's next steps regarding Bondi's deposition and potential enforcement of the subpoena will be crucial in shaping the narrative around accountability in the Epstein case.