A key congressional panel in the United States has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of records linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The U.S. House Oversight Committee approved the subpoena on Wednesday in a bipartisan vote, with five Republicans joining Democrats to support the move. The measure was introduced by Republican Representative Nancy Mace, reflecting growing pressure within Congress for greater transparency surrounding the controversial files.
Bipartisan Frustration Over Document Releases
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration with how the U.S. Department of Justice has reviewed and released documents related to the Epstein investigation.
Rep. Mace said the public and lawmakers alike want clarity about Epstein’s activities and connections with powerful individuals.
“The American people want answers on the Epstein files, and so do we,” she wrote in a statement on social media.
The Justice Department has not yet issued an official response to the committee’s subpoena.
Ongoing Controversy Around Epstein Records
The issue has remained politically sensitive for the administration of Donald Trump. Critics have repeatedly questioned whether the government has fully disclosed documents tied to Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking network.
In July last year, the Justice Department concluded after a lengthy review that no official “client list” linked to Epstein existed and stated that there was no justification to release additional records beyond those already disclosed.
However, the decision triggered widespread criticism from lawmakers and activists who argued that the investigation’s findings lacked transparency.
Lawmakers Accuse Department of Withholding Information
Leading Democrats on the committee say the Justice Department has failed to provide complete documentation.
Representative Robert Garcia, the panel’s top Democrat, accused the department of withholding important records and urged greater accountability.
He said Congress is seeking full, unredacted files in order to clarify the scope of Epstein’s crimes and his alleged associations.
Bondi, however, has defended the department’s approach, arguing that officials have worked under tight deadlines to review and redact millions of pages of sensitive documents.
Controversy Over Redactions and Victim Privacy
During a heated congressional hearing earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers criticized the Justice Department over redactions that inadvertently exposed private details of victims, including highly sensitive information.
Bondi acknowledged that some documents had been temporarily removed after concerns were raised that they included victims’ identities. She told lawmakers the department had attempted to balance transparency with protecting survivors.
Additional Records Under Review
The controversy intensified recently after the Justice Department confirmed it was reviewing whether certain records had been improperly withheld from earlier public releases.
Several media reports suggested that some documents involving uncorroborated allegations made against President Trump were not included in the released material. The allegations reportedly came from a woman who told federal investigators she had been assaulted by both Epstein and Trump in the 1980s when she was a minor.
Officials have not verified those claims, and investigators say the matter remains under review.
High-Profile Testimony From the Clintons
The investigation has also drawn testimony from prominent political figures. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton recently appeared before lawmakers to answer questions about his past interactions with Epstein.
Clinton told investigators that he “did nothing wrong” and said he had never witnessed signs of Epstein’s criminal behavior.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also testified before the committee, stating that she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and did not recall meeting him.
Pressure Builds for Greater Transparency
The committee’s decision to subpoena the attorney general signals that the issue remains a major political flashpoint in Washington. Lawmakers say the upcoming testimony could help determine whether additional documents related to the Epstein investigation will be made public.
As Congress continues to scrutinize the Justice Department’s handling of the files, survivors’ advocates and transparency groups are calling for full disclosure while ensuring protections for victims.
