Rep. Robert Garcia escalated tensions on Capitol Hill Monday, warning former Attorney General Pam Bondi that she could face contempt of Congress if she fails to appear for a scheduled deposition tied to the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, made his position clear in a public statement, insisting that Bondi is obligated to testify regardless of her current status. “Our bipartisan subpoena was very clear,” Garcia wrote, emphasizing that the requirement applies whether or not she still holds the office of attorney general. He added that failure to comply would result in consequences, including potential contempt proceedings.
The dispute centers on a subpoena issued last month, before President Donald Trump removed Bondi from her position on April 2. According to a committee spokesperson, the Department of Justice has since indicated that Bondi will not appear for the April 14 deposition, arguing that the subpoena was issued in her official capacity as attorney general—a role she no longer holds.
“The Department of Justice has stated Pam Bondi will not appear,” the spokesperson said, noting that the committee now plans to coordinate with Bondi’s personal legal counsel to determine next steps and potentially reschedule the deposition.
Democrats on the panel have pushed back on that interpretation, maintaining that the subpoena was directed at Bondi as an individual, not merely as the officeholder. In their view, that distinction means she is still required to comply with the committee’s request to testify.
The standoff highlights a broader legal and political question over the obligations of former officials once they leave office. While the committee has already heard from other high-ranking figures, including former Attorney General William Barr and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, Bondi’s case has become a focal point of contention.
Notably, the push to subpoena Bondi drew bipartisan support. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican, introduced the motion and joined Democrats in backing the effort. Mace said last week that she expects the deposition to be rescheduled, underscoring that the committee’s intent was to compel Bondi’s testimony specifically, rather than that of whoever occupies the attorney general’s office.
“Our motion made clear the Committee must issue a subpoena to Pam Bondi, not the occupant of the office,” Mace wrote, suggesting that procedural adjustments—such as coordinating with Bondi’s personal attorney or issuing an updated subpoena—could resolve the dispute. At the same time, she signaled that continued refusal to comply could warrant contempt.
Historically, such measures are rare but not unprecedented. The House has voted to hold only three sitting attorneys general in contempt of Congress: Barr, Eric Holder, and Merrick Garland.
As the situation unfolds, the clash over Bondi’s testimony underscores the high stakes surrounding the Epstein investigation and the ongoing struggle between congressional oversight and executive branch authority. While lawmakers press for answers, the outcome of this dispute may shape how future investigations handle former officials who once held some of the nation’s most powerful positions.
