US Lawmakers Summon Attorney General Over Epstein Files

A key congressional panel in the United States has subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify over the government’s handling of records linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The House Oversight Committee announced that Bondi is expected to appear for a closed-door deposition on April 14, as lawmakers intensify investigations into what they describe as possible mismanagement of the federal probe into Epstein and his associates.

The subpoena follows a recent committee vote, which saw support from both Republicans and Democrats, signaling bipartisan concern over how the case has been handled.

Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, had longstanding connections with political and business elites. His case has remained highly controversial, with ongoing disputes surrounding the release of investigative files and the full extent of his network.

In a letter addressed to the attorney general, committee chairman James Comer said lawmakers are examining the Justice Department’s compliance with transparency laws related to Epstein’s records.

“As attorney general, you are directly responsible for overseeing the department’s collection, review and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts,” Comer said.

Lawmakers from both parties have criticised the Justice Department’s handling of the document release, arguing that a significant portion of the files remains either unreleased or heavily redacted.

Reports indicate that only about half of the roughly six million pages in the department’s possession have been made public, with tens of thousands of documents withheld, including materials containing explicit content or identifying victims.

Concerns have also been raised about potentially missing records, including documents and video evidence that some lawmakers believe should have been disclosed under the law.

Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who introduced the motion to subpoena Bondi, accused the department of withholding key information and stressed the need for accountability.

“Every victim deserves justice. Every crime deserves prosecution. But the reality is the rich and powerful rarely face consequences. This is exactly why the Epstein victims must be louder than ever,” she posted on social media.

“We will not let this go away. We will keep pushing and demanding answers until the truth can no longer be ignored.”

The Epstein scandal continues to draw attention due to lingering questions about how the investigation was handled, including the circumstances surrounding his death in custody and the prosecution of his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

While Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche are scheduled to brief lawmakers privately this week, members of Congress have made it clear that such sessions will not replace formal testimony as the investigation moves forward.