Lawmakers Warn Former DOJ Chief That Subpoena Remains in Effect

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding the government’s handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Department of Justice stated that Bondi will not appear for a deposition scheduled for April 14, 2026. This decision follows Bondi’s removal from her position as attorney general on April 2, 2026, when she was fired by Donald Trump and replaced by Todd Blanche.

Legal Dispute Over Subpoena Validity

The conflict centers on whether the subpoena remains binding after Bondi left office. The subpoena was issued last month by Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and was approved by the full panel on March 4, 2026, with support from all Democrats and five Republicans.

Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis, who leads the Justice Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs, argued in a letter to Chairman Comer that the subpoena was issued to Bondi in her official capacity as attorney general rather than her personal capacity.

Davis asserted that because Bondi no longer holds the office, she can no longer testify in that role. He requested that Comer confirm the subpoena be withdrawn, stating that the Department remains committed to working cooperatively and believes further compulsory process is unnecessary.

Congressional Response and Potential Consequences

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have rejected the Department of Justice’s position, accusing Bondi of stonewalling congressional oversight powers. In a social media post on April 9, 2026, the group stated that Bondi must come before our committee and answer our questions and characterized her refusal as an attempt to protect powerful men and their connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Committee, has maintained that the subpoena is binding regardless of Bondi’s current employment status.

Legally, at the end of the day, if somebody is under subpoena, it doesn’t matter if they change jobs or if they have a job or if they don’t.

Congressman Robert Garcia

Garcia warned that Bondi could be held in contempt of Congress if she continues to refuse to appear.

Context of the Epstein Files Investigation

The committee’s probe is focused on the release of Epstein files, a process compelled by the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November. As the attorney general at the time of the law’s passage, Bondi was the official responsible for ensuring the records were published in accordance with the legislation.

A spokeswoman for the Oversight Committee indicated that the committee intends to contact Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss the next steps for scheduling her deposition, signaling that the panel does not accept the Department of Justice’s request to withdraw the subpoena.