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House Epstein Probe: Oversight Democrat Calls DOJ Bondi Subpoena Position ‘Total B.S.’ and Floats Contempt
The DOJ told the House Oversight Committee that former Attorney General Pam Bondi need not appear for an April 14 deposition in the Epstein probe because she was subpoenaed in her official capacity and no longer holds the office, prompting the panel to contact her personal counsel about rescheduling while GOP members debate next steps. Rep. James Walkinshaw called the DOJ stance “total B.S.” and Democrats say they may pursue contempt of Congress if Bondi refuses, as the committee presses ahead with other voluntary transcribed interviews — including Bill Gates and Howard Lutnick — and reviews millions of pages of Epstein‑related records.
📌 Key Facts
- The Department of Justice told the House Oversight Committee that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for her April 14 subpoenaed deposition because the subpoena was issued in her official capacity and she no longer serves as attorney general; DOJ asked the committee to confirm the subpoena is withdrawn.
- House Oversight has not withdrawn the subpoena and says it will contact Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss rescheduling her testimony as a private citizen; the subpoena obtained by reporters is addressed to “Pamela J. Bondi, Attorney General of the United States,” a point central to the dispute over whether it was personal or official.
- Ranking House Democrats on the committee — including Rep. Robert Garcia and Rep. James Walkinshaw — accused the DOJ position of improperly blocking the deposition, called it "total B.S." (Walkinshaw), and threatened to pursue contempt of Congress and other enforcement measures if Bondi refuses to testify.
- A bipartisan group of members (Reps. Nancy Mace and Ro Khanna) urged Chair James Comer to publicly reaffirm that Bondi must appear, arguing the subpoena was issued to her by name and that leaving office does not erase her obligation.
- The Oversight probe has scheduled multiple voluntary, transcribed interviews with witnesses: Ted Waitt (April 30); Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (voluntary interview on May 6); corrections officer Tova Noel (May 18); Lesley Groff (June 9); and Bill Gates (closed‑door, transcribed interview on June 10).
- Bill Gates’ team says he welcomes the opportunity to testify and denies witnessing or participating in Epstein’s illegal conduct; reporters note Gates appears thousands of times in DOJ Epstein files and that specific allegations appear in Epstein’s emails mentioned in those records.
- DOJ has released roughly 3 million pages of Epstein‑related files (of more than 6 million pages required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act), citing survivor privacy and an ongoing federal investigation for withholding the remainder — a backdrop for lawmakers’ interest in securing Bondi’s testimony; the committee has previously deposed other high‑profile figures in the probe, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Les Wexner.
📊 Relevant Data
In the United States, 40% of all victims and survivors of sex trafficking are Black, compared to Black individuals comprising about 13.6% of the U.S. population.
Exposing Racial Disparities in Human Trafficking — O.U.R. Rescue
In fiscal year 2023 data on human trafficking offenses, 53% of the 203 defendants charged with peonage, slavery, forced labor, and sex trafficking were Black, compared to Black individuals comprising about 13.6% of the U.S. population.
Human Trafficking Data Collection Activities, 2024 — Bureau of Justice Statistics
Black or African American youth in the U.S. have an 83% higher risk of reporting homelessness compared to White youth, a factor associated with increased vulnerability to human trafficking.
Young People of Color Facing Homelessness — Covenant House
Economic shocks and poverty are significant risk factors that increase vulnerability to human trafficking in the U.S., according to recent analyses.
Human trafficking — Migration Data Portal
📰 Source Timeline (10)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
April 09, 2026
7:27 PM
Oversight Democrat slams Trump DOJ for blocking Bondi deposition on Epstein: ‘Total B.S.’
New information:
- Rep. James Walkinshaw, D‑Va., publicly labeled DOJ’s position that Bondi need not comply with the April 14 subpoena as 'total B.S.' and said her firing does not absolve her of the legal duty to appear.
- Walkinshaw said Democrats are prepared to use contempt and other 'tools' similar to those Republicans once attempted against the Clintons, and predicted it is 'very plausible' some Republicans would join a contempt vote if Bondi refuses to testify.
- He emphasized that Bondi’s testimony is a top priority for Democrats on the committee, calling it key to accountability for Epstein’s victims, even as other high‑profile interviews (including Bill Gates and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick) are scheduled.
April 08, 2026
10:20 PM
Bondi won't appear for House deposition next week in the Epstein investigation
New information:
- House Oversight Committee spokeswoman Jessica Collins says DOJ has indicated Pam Bondi will not appear for the April 14 deposition because she was subpoenaed in her capacity as attorney general and no longer holds that office.
- The committee will now contact Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss rescheduling an interview.
- Rep. Nancy Mace publicly argues the subpoena was issued "by name, not by title" and says Bondi "cannot escape accountability" by leaving office.
- Ranking Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia says he will push to enforce the subpoena and threatens to seek contempt of Congress charges if Bondi does not testify.
- The article notes the DOJ website still listed Bondi as attorney general on Wednesday, despite her ouster and Todd Blanche performing the AG’s duties.
10:15 PM
Bill Gates will testify in the Epstein probe; Pam Bondi testimony postponed
New information:
- Bill Gates is scheduled for a closed‑door, transcribed interview before the House Oversight Committee on June 10, according to a source familiar with the matter.
- Gates’ spokesperson says he “welcomes the opportunity” to appear and reiterates that he never witnessed or participated in Epstein’s illegal conduct.
- The article details that Gates appears “thousands of times” in the DOJ Epstein files and notes specific allegations in Epstein’s emails involving Melinda French Gates and an STI medication story.
- DOJ Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis formally told Chair James Comer that, because Pam Bondi no longer serves as attorney general, the March subpoena “no longer obligates her” to appear on April 14.
- Ranking Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia states that Bondi “must come in to testify immediately” and threatens that if she defies the subpoena, Democrats will pursue contempt charges in Congress.
- House Oversight says it will now contact Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss rescheduling her deposition, signaling a shift from compelling testimony in an official capacity to private‑citizen status.
6:35 PM
Ousted AG Bondi declines Epstein deposition, but lawmakers say subpoena still holds
New information:
- House Oversight Committee spokeswoman tells Fox that DOJ has said Pam Bondi 'will not appear' on April 14 because she is no longer attorney general and was subpoenaed in that capacity, but the committee has not withdrawn the subpoena and will contact her personal counsel to discuss 'next steps' for scheduling.
- Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia explicitly states he will move to hold Bondi in contempt of Congress if she does not comply, calling the subpoena 'bipartisan' and asserting it applies to her whether or not she remains attorney general.
- Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Ro Khanna send a new bipartisan letter to Chair James Comer asking him to 'publicly reaffirm' Bondi’s legal obligation to testify, arguing that removal from office 'doesn’t erase her obligation' and that the subpoena was to Bondi 'by name, not by title.'
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly declines to say whether Bondi should comply, stating he will leave the issue to Chairman Comer and others and that he does not have an answer on the subpoena’s status.
5:23 PM
Bondi Won’t Appear on Capitol Hill for Scheduled Epstein Deposition
New information:
- Pam Bondi has formally informed the House that she will not appear for the scheduled April 14 deposition in the Epstein investigation.
- The New York Times details internal House GOP deliberations over how aggressively to respond, including divisions about contempt or other enforcement steps (as reported in the article).
- Additional context on how Bondi’s refusal and DOJ’s position fit into a broader pattern of Trump‑era resistance to legislative oversight, as described by legal experts quoted in the piece.
5:05 PM
Pam Bondi defies House subpoena over Epstein files
New information:
- Axios headline and framing explicitly characterize Pam Bondi’s decision as defiance of the House subpoena tied to Epstein files, reinforcing that she will not comply with the April 14 appearance.
- The article’s emphasis ties Bondi’s non‑appearance squarely to the committee’s demand for testimony specifically focused on Epstein files, sharpening the subject matter at issue.
- Social and political reaction around Bondi’s refusal is highlighted, with critics casting it as part of a broader pattern of Trump‑era stonewalling of congressional oversight in the Epstein investigation.
3:56 PM
Bondi won’t appear for April 14 deposition before House Oversight Committee, DOJ says
New information:
- DOJ Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis sent a letter to Chairman James Comer stating that Pam Bondi will not appear for her April 14 House Oversight deposition because she was subpoenaed in her official capacity as attorney general and no longer holds that office.
- The DOJ letter asks the committee to confirm that Bondi’s subpoena is withdrawn, arguing the subpoena no longer obligates her to appear on the scheduled date.
- Oversight ranking member Robert Garcia has publicly threatened to pursue contempt of Congress charges against Bondi if she defies the subpoena.
- Reps. Nancy Mace and Ro Khanna jointly wrote Comer urging him to publicly reaffirm that Bondi must appear on April 14 or threaten 'appropriate enforcement' if she does not.
- MS NOW obtained and described the subpoena, which is addressed to “Pamela J. Bondi, Attorney General of the United States,” sharpening the dispute over whether it is personal or official in nature.
3:01 PM
Bondi won't appear for April 14 deposition in House panel's Epstein probe
New information:
- The Department of Justice has informed the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for her April 14 subpoenaed deposition because she is no longer attorney general and was subpoenaed in that official capacity.
- An Oversight Committee spokeswoman says the panel will now contact Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss rescheduling her deposition, signaling the committee may pursue her testimony in a different posture.
- The article reiterates that DOJ released about 3 million pages of Epstein-related files out of more than 6 million pages required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, with top officials citing survivor privacy and an ongoing federal investigation as reasons for withholding the rest, context that underscores why lawmakers want Bondi under oath.
- Bondi was ousted as attorney general last week; although she initially indicated she would stay for a one-month transition to help Deputy AG Todd Blanche, Blanche has already taken over as acting attorney general, and DOJ now cites her departure in declining to produce her for the April 14 session.
April 07, 2026
7:37 PM
Bill Gates and Howard Lutnick scheduled to testify before House on Epstein
New information:
- Confirms that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled for a voluntary, transcribed House Oversight interview on May 6, 2026 as part of the Epstein investigation.
- Details four additional voluntary transcribed interviews: Ted Waitt on April 30; corrections officer Tova Noel on May 18; Lesley Groff on June 9; Bill Gates on June 10.
- Clarifies that all five witnesses are appearing voluntarily after March 3 request letters and that the committee granted anonymity to sources discussing the schedule.
- Adds context and uncertainty around the April 14 subpoenaed deposition of former Attorney General Pam Bondi following her firing by President Trump, including a committee statement that Chairman Comer will consult GOP members and DOJ on "next steps."
- Expands context on the wider probe by noting prior depositions of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Les Wexner, and growing interest in Lutnick’s testimony after he admitted to a 2012 lunch with Epstein on his island despite earlier claims he cut ties in 2005.