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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle warned Wednesday that former Attorney General Pam Bondi must still testify before the House Oversight Committee, despite the Department of Justice's argument that her subpoena no longer counts.
The announcement earlier Wednesday that she would no longer appear before the committee on April 14 over the Epstein files sparked outrage among some lawmakers, with warnings that she could face contempt of Congress charges.
"Now that Pam Bondi has been fired, she's trying to get out of her legal obligation to testify before the Oversight Committee about the Epstein files and the White House cover-up," Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking member on the committee, said in a statement.
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"Our bipartisan subpoena is to Pam Bondi, whether she is the Attorney General or not. She must come in to testify immediately, and if she defies the subpoena, we will begin contempt charges in the Congress."
Pam Bondi Won't Testify: What We Know
The now-former attorney general was scheduled to testify before the committee over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, following a bipartisan vote to call her to Capitol Hill. Last Friday, President Donald Trump fired Bondi, temporarily handing the role to her deputy, Todd Blanche.
The Department of Justice told Newsweek in a statement that, as Bondi no longer led the department, the subpoena no longer counted.
“The Department of Justice remains committed to working cooperatively with the Committee, but its subpoena to former AG Bondi was in her official capacity as Attorney General," the spokesperson said. "Because of the leadership transition at the Department, the subpoena no longer applies.”
The House Oversight Committee had announced the change of plans earlier on Wednesday.
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What Are Lawmakers Saying?
Alongside Garcia's statement, fellow committee members called for Bondi's hearing to go ahead as planned.
"Just because Pam Bondi got fired, doesn't mean that she's no longer accountable for her role in the White House cover-up of the Epstein Files," Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari posted on X. "She MUST come to testify before the Oversight Committee or be held in contempt of Congress. This is far from over."
Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican who has been vocal about her desire for transparency, urged committee chair James Comer to uphold the subpoena.
"Bondi’s removal as Attorney General doesn’t erase her obligation to testify and does not end Congressional oversight," Mace said. "The American people deserve to know whether Congress was misled and whether information about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates is being withheld. Pam Bondi has answers. Hold the Line."
What Is Contempt of Congress?
Filing contempt of Congress proceedings against Bondi, should she not appear, would mean that members believe she willfully obstructed an investigation.
The offense is a federal misdemeanor, which could lead to a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 12 months in jail.
Contempt filings have been made against high-profile figures linked to the January 6 investigation, including Steve Bannon.
Update 4/8/26, 2:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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