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A group of House Democrats walked out of a closed-door briefing Wednesday with Attorney General Pam Bondi on the federal probe into Jeffrey Epstein, escalating tensions over the Justice Department’s handling of the case and setting up a potential legal showdown with Congress.
The contentious meeting came one day after Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, issued a subpoena compelling Bondi to testify publicly next month.
Bondi, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, met with lawmakers behind closed doors on Capitol Hill. Less than an hour into the session, several Democrats exited, criticizing the format and questioning the administration’s transparency.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the panel’s top Democrat, said Bondi did not commit to complying with the subpoena and described the session as a “fake hearing,” noting she was not under oath and did not deliver an opening statement.
“It’s outrageous, it’s infuriating, and it continues this White House cover-up of the Epstein files,” Garcia told reporters. “We’re not going to take that anymore.”
Dispute Over Format and Transparency
Other Democrats echoed those concerns, including Rep. Maxwell Frost, who characterized the session as a “fake deposition” conducted out of public view.
Republicans pushed back, accusing Democrats of staging a political protest. Comer said the walkout appeared “premeditated” and criticized lawmakers for not engaging substantively during the briefing.
“They came out complaining that she wasn’t answering questions,” Comer said. “The first three people to ask questions, all they did was complain.”
Tensions inside the room spilled into a verbal exchange between Comer and Rep. Summer Lee. Lee said she pressed Comer on whether he would enforce the subpoena if Bondi refuses to testify and pursue contempt proceedings.
According to Lee, Comer dismissed her concerns, a characterization he partially confirmed, saying she was focused on procedural complaints.
Subpoena Standoff
Asked after the meeting whether she would comply with the subpoena, Bondi said only that she would “follow the law,” a response Democrats called insufficient.
Bondi also criticized the walkout, suggesting Democrats chose not to engage in questioning despite raising concerns publicly.
The dispute raises the possibility of a broader constitutional clash between Congress and the executive branch if lawmakers move to enforce the subpoena.
Ongoing Scrutiny of Epstein Files
The confrontation reflects years of bipartisan frustration over the federal government’s handling of Epstein, who was charged in 2019 with sex trafficking but died by suicide in jail before trial, fueling widespread scrutiny and conspiracy theories.
The Justice Department has released millions of pages of documents in recent months tied to multiple investigations into Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, following legislation requiring public disclosure of case files.
Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the rollout, citing concerns that some materials were overly redacted while others may have exposed sensitive information about victims. The department has defended its process, saying hundreds of attorneys reviewed documents and that corrections have been made when errors were identified.
Political and Legal Stakes
Democrats argue that additional transparency is needed and have accused Bondi of withholding key information. Some lawmakers have insisted that sworn testimony is necessary to ensure accountability.
“We want her under oath because we don’t trust her,” Frost said.
Republicans, meanwhile, maintain that the Justice Department has cooperated and that the investigation should proceed without political interference.
“Does it look like a cover-up?” Comer said. “The attorney general and top DOJ officials were there to answer questions.”
What Comes Next
The Oversight Committee is expected to move forward with plans for Bondi’s public testimony next month. If she declines to appear, lawmakers could pursue contempt proceedings, setting up a high-stakes legal battle over congressional oversight powers.
The outcome could shape not only the trajectory of the Epstein investigation but also broader questions about transparency and executive branch accountability.
