DOJ Officials Brief House Oversight Committee on Epstein Investigation
On Wednesday, top officials from President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) will meet with the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche are set to hold a private session with House members at the Capitol later in the afternoon.
This meeting follows a subpoena issued by the committee’s chairman, James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, compelling Bondi to give a sworn deposition regarding the investigation on April 14.
According to the subpoena, the Committee has inquiries about how the DOJ managed its investigation into Epstein and his associates, as well as compliance concerning the Epstein File Transparency Act. “As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection and review of files related to this act, and the Committee believes you offer valuable insight into these processes,” it states.
Last year, Congress passed a bill that almost unanimously required the Justice Department to release all documentation concerning Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In late January, the DOJ claimed it had released all relevant documents; however, some lawmakers from both parties disputed this assertion.
A spokesperson for the DOJ pushed back against the subpoena, declaring, “This subpoena is entirely unnecessary. Lawmakers can view the unredacted files directly at the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General has consistently been available to discuss these matters with Congress.” The spokesperson added that Bondi continues to hold discussions with Congress regarding the Epstein File Transparency Act, which is why the department has offered a briefing to the committee.
The subpoena was initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican, and was supported by a unanimous vote from both Republican and Democratic members of the committee.
In a statement, Mace expressed that the DOJ’s noncompliance with the Epstein File Transparency Act prompted the action against Bondi. “They assert that all files are public, yet the reality suggests otherwise. Important evidence remains concealed from the public and those seeking justice,” she noted.
Throughout the committee’s prolonged investigation, lawmakers have engaged with various figures from both political parties, as well as non-partisan sources connected to Epstein.
Recently, the committee interviewed former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in their hometown of Chappaqua, New York. They have also met with Richard Kahn, Epstein’s long-time accountant. Additionally, former Trump-era Attorney General Bill Barr and Labor Secretary Alex Acosta participated in the discussions.
