A senior Republican lawmaker has issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, compelling her to testify before Congress about the Justice Department’s handling of documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move was announced on Tuesday by James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, after a bipartisan vote earlier this month backed a request for Bondi to appear before lawmakers. Several Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the motion, highlighting growing cross-party concern over the issue.
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Questions over document release
In a letter accompanying the subpoena, Comer said the committee is seeking clarity on how the Department of Justice has managed its review and release of materials connected to Epstein and his associates.
Lawmakers are particularly focused on compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was passed last year and requires the department to make relevant documents public.
“As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files,” Comer wrote, adding that Bondi’s testimony would provide crucial insight into the process.
Tensions with lawmakers
The subpoena follows a contentious congressional hearing last month, during which Bondi declined to answer several questions about the files. The exchange drew criticism from members of both parties, including Thomas Massie, a Republican who has been vocal in pushing for greater transparency.
Massie, who co-led efforts to pass the legislation alongside Ro Khanna, said he had lost confidence in Bondi’s leadership following the hearing.
Expanding investigation
The Oversight Committee’s inquiry has widened to include other prominent figures linked to Epstein. Subpoenas have already been issued to Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton as part of the ongoing investigation.
Separately, lawmakers are also examining the role of Howard Lutnick, the U.S. commerce secretary, who has acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private island in 2012. Lutnick has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing and has not been accused of misconduct.
A closed-door briefing involving Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to take place, with further public testimony anticipated in the coming weeks.
Mounting political pressure
Bondi has faced increasing scrutiny from both Democrats and some Republicans over the Justice Department’s approach to the Epstein case, particularly regarding the release of millions of documents.
The controversy dates back months, with critics arguing that earlier disclosures contained little new information. Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, leaving many questions unresolved and fuelling continued political and public interest.
The latest subpoena signals that pressure on the Justice Department is unlikely to ease, as lawmakers push for greater transparency and accountability in one of the most high-profile cases in recent years.
META: A congressional committee has subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify over the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related documents.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 March 2026