{"id":4048,"date":"2026-05-29T11:39:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/29\/pam-bondi-to-finally-appear-before-house-panel-over-epstein-files-release\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T11:39:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:39:43","slug":"pam-bondi-to-finally-appear-before-house-panel-over-epstein-files-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4048","title":{"rendered":"Pam Bondi to finally appear before House panel over Epstein files release"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"5e8f01e0-7477-4cfd-9b4d-2a6509fff35e\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"a woman sits at a table\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b434d114a263bbd96b09b09e29e4a67915e8487d\/0_0_5449_3633\/master\/5449.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310.0284455863461\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Pam Bondi attends a House judiciary committee hearing on 11 February 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Kent Nishimura\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"5e8f01e0-7477-4cfd-9b4d-2a6509fff35e\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Pam Bondi attends a House judiciary committee hearing on 11 February 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Kent Nishimura\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Pam Bondi to finally appear before House panel over Epstein files release<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Ex-attorney general was subpoenaed in March but had refused to show after her removal from justice department<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The former attorney general <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/pam-bondi\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Pam Bondi<\/a> will appear before the US House oversight and reform committee on Friday morning to answer questions about the Department of Justice\u2019s handling of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> investigation and its release of the Epstein files under her leadership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The committee announced in late April that Bondi would be appearing before the panel as part of its investigation into Epstein, shortly after Democrats on the committee filed a civil <a href=\"https:\/\/oversightdemocrats.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/garcca_054_xml.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">contempt resolution<\/a> against her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bondi\u2019s appearance comes as the justice department has faced criticism in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/mar\/17\/pam-bondi-epstein-files-house-committee\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">recent months<\/a> over its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, after the department failed to meet the act\u2019s 19 December deadline to release the relevant files, instead releasing what it claimed were the full files on 31 January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Survivors of Epstein\u2019s abuse have also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/02\/epstein-victims-information-doj\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">raised concerns<\/a> that sensitive personal information was improperly disclosed in the files, while several lawmakers have also criticized some of the redactions in the documents. The department has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/08\/pam-bondi-house-hearing-epstein-files\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">maintained<\/a> that it acted in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"35f7b6ae-d8d3-4525-b22e-f74f1a38c558\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-4 | 4\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-ak3j0c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/20\/trump-doj-epstein-files-victims\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">What\u2019s next in the Jeffrey Epstein saga? Trump\u2019s justice department sends mixed messages<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bondi was formally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/mar\/17\/pam-bondi-epstein-files-house-committee\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subpoenaed<\/a> by a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the committee in March, while she was still serving as attorney general. In that <a href=\"https:\/\/oversight.house.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/03.17.2026-Subpoena-Cover-Letter-Bondi-FINAL.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subpoena letter<\/a>, Representative James Comer, the Republican who chairs the committee, wrote that there were \u201cquestions regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, after Donald Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/02\/trump-pam-bondi-attorney-general\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">removed<\/a> Bondi from her role, the committee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/08\/pam-bondi-house-hearing-epstein-files\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">said<\/a> it was informed by the justice department that Bondi would not be appearing for the scheduled deposition, arguing that \u201cthe committee issued the subpoena to Ms Bondi in her official capacity as attorney general\u201d and Bondi \u201cno longer holds that office\u201d and therefore \u201cthe subpoena no longer obligates her to appear\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bondi did not appear for her requested deposition date, and in late April, Democrats on the committee filed a civil <a href=\"https:\/\/oversightdemocrats.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/garcca_054_xml.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">contempt resolution<\/a> against her. Shortly afterward, the committee announced that Bondi would<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/29\/pam-bondi-epstein-files-house-oversight-committee\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> appear <\/a>before the panel on 29 May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a statement to the Guardian this week, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said that the assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon and other Department of Justice personnel would attend Bondi\u2019s transcribed interview \u201cto assist the Committee in understanding the Department\u2019s role in implementing and complying with the Epstein Files Transparency Act during her tenure\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cBecause former Attorney General Bondi oversaw the Department at the time the Act was enacted and carried out, DOJ\u2019s presence is solely to ensure accurate representation of Department processes, facilitate any necessary clarifications, and support a complete factual record for the Committee,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cAs with any congressional engagement involving past Department actions, DOJ routinely provides staff with relevant institutional knowledge to support transparency, accuracy, and cooperation with oversight responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In mid-March, Bondi <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/mar\/18\/pam-bondi-epstein-briefing-democrats\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">appeared for a closed-door <\/a>briefing with the panel, during which Democrats stormed out, accusing her of refusing to commit to complying with a subpoena for her sworn testimony in front of the committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Earlier this week, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/05\/27\/pam-bondi-white-house-ai\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Axios<\/a> reported that Trump had recently appointed Bondi to an advisory committee focused on AI policy. It was also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/27\/politics\/former-attorney-general-pam-bondi-diagnosed-thyroid-cancer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reported this <\/a>week that Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving the justice department. She told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/27\/politics\/former-attorney-general-pam-bondi-diagnosed-thyroid-cancer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">CNN<\/a> that she was undergoing treatment, and was still recovering.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/pam-bondi\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Pam Bondi<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">House of Representatives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pam%20Bondi%20to%20finally%20appear%20before%20House%20panel%20over%20Epstein%20files%20release&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/29\/pam-bondi-epstein-files-house-committee?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F29%2Fpam-bondi-epstein-files-house-committee&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/29\/pam-bondi-epstein-files-house-committee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pam Bondi attends a House judiciary committee hearing on 11 February 2026. Photograph: Kent Nishimura\/Reuters View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4048"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4048\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}