The House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi, escalating a growing dispute over the Department of Justice’s handling of files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a 24–19 vote, the Republican-led panel approved a motion introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) compelling Bondi to testify before the committee. Five Republicans crossed party lines to support the measure, joining Democrats: Mace herself, along with Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Michael Cloud (R-TX), and Scott Perry (R-PA). Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) voted against the subpoena, as did most members of the GOP majority on the panel.
The move reflects mounting frustration on Capitol Hill over how the Justice Department has released Epstein-related records. Critics argue that the rollout has been incomplete, alleging that significant materials remain undisclosed despite government assurances to the contrary. Lawmakers from both parties have questioned the scope of the disclosures, the extent of redactions, and whether the department has fully complied with transparency requirements under federal law.
Mace, who has pushed aggressively for broader disclosure of documents connected to Epstein’s sex trafficking network, announced the subpoena effort in posts on Twitter. “AG Bondi claims the DOJ has released all of the Epstein files. The record is clear: they have not,” she wrote in one message. She described Epstein’s case as “one of the greatest cover-ups in American history,” pointing to what she said were missing videos, audio recordings, and potentially millions of pages of unreleased material.
In another post, Mace stated: “The DOJ has quietly removed more than 65,000 pages of Epstein files, without answering a single question from Congress. Today I moved to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi. You promised transparency. It’s time to deliver. The American people deserve the truth. RELEASE THE FILES.”
The DOJ has quietly removed more than 65,000 pages of Epstein files, without answering a single question from Congress. Today I moved to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi.
You promised transparency. It's time to deliver. The American people deserve the truth.
RELEASE THE… pic.twitter.com/TI8FxRwz5p
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) March 4, 2026
She added in a separate message: “We want to know why the DOJ is more focused on shielding the powerful than delivering justice. The American people deserve answers, victims deserve justice. HOLD. THE. LINE.”
The subpoena effort also reflects an unusual coalition within the Republican conference. Mace and Boebert were among a small group of House Republicans who, in 2025, joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition designed to force a floor vote on legislation related to the Epstein files.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the subpoena. Bondi has previously defended the department’s handling of the records, but the committee vote underscores the political pressure surrounding the case and the lingering distrust over how Epstein’s connections and activities have been documented.
If enforced, the subpoena could lead to either a closed-door deposition or a public appearance by Bondi before the Oversight Committee—an unusual moment of intraparty confrontation involving a prominent member of President Donald Trump’s administration and one of the most politically charged investigations in recent memory.
