The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability formally issued a subpoena to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, compelling her to testify regarding the Justice Department’s alleged mismanagement of records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The move follows a bipartisan vote earlier this month and requires Bondi to appear for a deposition on April 14.
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) stated that the committee is investigating potential violations of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law signed by President Trump in late 2025 requiring the release of all federal records tied to the abuser.
Lawmakers have accused the DOJ of mishandling the release by haphazardly redacting victims' identities while shielding powerful associates.
_ “The Committee is reviewing the possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation,”_ the subpoena cover letter stated, noting that Bondi is “directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files.”
The subpoena marks a significant escalation in the standoff between Congress and the Justice Department. During a previous hearing in February, Bondi faced intense criticism from both parties for the DOJ's failure to protect survivor privacy.
_“You’re a washed-up loser lawyer,” _Bondi told Representative Jamie Raskin during that contentious session, as she defended the administration’s transparency and praised the President's handling of the matter.
In addition to the subpoena, Representative Summer Lee (D-PA) introduced articles of impeachment against Bondi on Tuesday, alleging_ “defiance of the Oversight Committee’s subpoena,” “abuse of investigatory and prosecutorial authority,”_ and “perjury.”
Lee stated that Bondi is “breaking the law to protect pedophiles and prosecute Trump’s political opponents.”
The DOJ has called the committee's latest actions “completely unnecessary,” emphasizing that Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have offered to speak with the committee in a private briefing.
A department spokesperson stated,_ “The Attorney General has always made herself available to speak directly with members of Congress.”_
The investigation is also expanding to include depositions of Epstein’s associates, including longtime lawyer Darren Indyke, scheduled for later this week.
Lawmakers are seeking to determine if public officials violated ethics rules or if investigative decisions were influenced by the powerful network cultivated by Epstein and Maxwell.