A faction of House Republicans who initially supported subpoenaing former Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein files is now distancing itself from the effort, prompting Democrats to push for a contempt vote and raising questions about the bipartisan investigation's future.
The shift leaves Democrats largely alone in demanding Bondi's testimony, even as they argue the former attorney general possesses critical information about the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. The Oversight Committee has said Bondi failed to comply with a subpoena to turn over files, while the Department of Justice has faced criticism for not fully releasing all Epstein materials.
What the Right Is Saying
Four of the five Republicans who voted for the Bondi subpoena in March now question the value of her testimony. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said Bondi demonstrated limited knowledge of the Epstein files during interactions.
"First thing she said was she's going to release all this stuff that nobody had, and it was stuff everybody had," Burchett said. "I just don't think she — I think she just didn't have the knowledge of any of that stuff."
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), who backed the initial subpoena motion, said he was waiting to see how negotiations advance with Bondi's personal attorney and questioned the purpose of the effort.
"I don't know what the point of the whole exercise is at this point," he said. "She's a private citizen now."
However, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has maintained that Bondi should be held in contempt if she refuses to comply. After DOJ indicated Bondi would not appear for an April 14 deposition, Mace said the committee should issue an updated subpoena and pursue enforcement if necessary.
Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), who did not back the original subpoena, said he has been trying to contact Bondi's personal attorney and expects to coordinate soon. He appeared to reject DOJ's argument that the demand is no longer valid since Bondi is no longer attorney general.
"We're going to reach out to her personal attorney because the subpoena is still to her," he said. "I don't like people not coming in when we assign them."
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee argue Bondi is central to the Epstein controversy and must testify. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), who serves on the panel, said Bondi managed the entire process of releasing the files and possesses information about why millions of documents remain withheld.
"She was the one managing the entire process," Ansari told The Hill. "The person who was at the helm of the department that was charged with releasing these files, and quite frankly, herself was the face of wanting to release the files at the outset of the administration — she has a lot of information."
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) questioned why Republicans would dismiss Bondi's knowledge, noting she served as attorney general for over a year and oversaw the files.
"I don't understand why they wouldn't think the former attorney general, who is the sole reason why so many files were withheld for so long, and who had custody over them and complete control over the situation wouldn't have information about why two and a half million files have been withheld," he said.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said Democrats want to question Bondi about multiple issues beyond the Epstein files, including claims she directed U.S. attorneys to lie in court cases and oversaw immigration enforcement actions she called illegal.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, sent a letter to Chairman James Comer demanding transparency about negotiations with Bondi's attorney and asking whether a deposition date has been agreed upon.
What the Numbers Show
The House Oversight Committee voted in March to subpoena Bondi with support from five Republicans and every Democrat on the panel. Four of those five Republicans now express resistance to further action.
Bondi served as attorney general from January 2025 to early 2026. During her tenure, she claimed to have Epstein's client list on her desk, only for DOJ to later issue a memo saying no such document exists.
Approximately 30 pages of documents relating to claims about President Trump appear to still be missing from the released files. Democrats estimate around 2.5 million files have been withheld.
The committee has also subpoenaed other former attorneys general as part of its investigation. No criminal investigations have been pursued based on the Epstein files, according to Democratic members.
The Bottom Line
The bipartisan consensus that once surrounded investigating the Epstein files has fractured, with Republicans divided on whether pursuing Bondi's testimony is worthwhile. Democrats see an opportunity to question the former attorney general about potential White House involvement in withholding documents, framing it as part of a broader cover-up.
Comer has indicated Bondi will be called before the committee, though no date has been set. Democrats are pushing for contempt proceedings if she refuses to cooperate. The next developments will likely center on whether Republicans can reach agreement on enforcement or if the investigation stalls without bipartisan support.