U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffrey Epstein on July 8, 2019 in New York. (Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
U.S. Department of Justice officials were scheduled to brief members of the House Oversight Committee on the widely criticized investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s years-long sexual misconduct on Wednesday, a day after the committee formally sent a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking testimony.
The subpoena, issued under a resolution the committee voted to adopt on March 4, calls for Bondi to testify on April 14.
The testimony comes in connection with the committee’s assessment of the Justice Department’s “possible mismanagement” in the investigation into Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, the alleged sex trafficking operation and Epstein’s death in federal custody, according to the Justice Department. public cover letter attached to the summons.
Tuesday’s letter said the panel, chaired by Kentucky Republican James Comer, questioned the department’s compliance with a law passed last year requiring the disclosure of materials related to the Epstein investigation.
“As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s record collection, review, and release arrangements under the Epstein Records Transparency Act, and as a result, the Commission believes you have valuable insight into these efforts,” the letter reads.
Most Republicans on the committee, including Comer, voted against the subpoena request. However, Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Michael Cloud of Texas, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Tim Burchett of Tennessee joined all Democrats on the Oversight Committee in voting in favor of the proposal.
In a statement Tuesday, ranking Democrat Robert Garcia of California expressed frustration, saying Bondi “continues to lead the White House cover-up” and ignored the law and a previous subpoena.
“Thanks to united Democrats on the Oversight Committee and the support of several Republicans, the Attorney General will now appear before our committee under oath. No more lies. No more distractions. We want truth and justice for survivors,” Garcia said.
Subpoena ‘unnecessary’, says Justice Department
A Justice Department spokesman said in a statement Tuesday that the subpoena was “entirely unnecessary,” noting a briefing scheduled for Wednesday.
“Lawmakers have been asked to review unredacted files at the Justice Department, and the Attorney General has always been willing to speak directly with members of Congress,” said the spokesman, who declined to be named. “He continues to have telephone calls and meetings with members of Congress regarding the Epstein Records Transparency Act, which is why the Department has offered to brief the committee.”
Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were to conduct the briefing, according to Comer’s statement.
A Justice Department spokesman did not respond to a request for additional details about Wednesday’s briefing, scheduled for behind schedule afternoon.
Connection with presidents
The federal investigation into Epstein, a convicted Florida sex offender accused of running a immense sex trafficking ring involving underage girls, was politically fraught from the start because of the influential financier’s ties to members of both parties.
President Donald Trump maintained a close friendship with Epstein until their falling out before he entered politics.
Trump pledged during the 2024 campaign to immediately release documents related to the federal investigation into his former friend, but after taking office, the Justice Department delayed releasing any investigative materials.
This led to mutual frustration in Congress, which passed the Epstein Records Transparency Act last year.
The law required the Justice Department to release almost all documents related to its investigation.
The first batch contained photos of Epstein with former Democratic President Bill Clinton. The couple traveled together on trips related to Clinton’s post-presidency philanthropic efforts.
