Pam Bondi Testimony on Epstein Files Canceled Amid Democratic Threats of Contempt Charges

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was set to testify before a House panel regarding the Department of Justice's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. The testimony was canceled, prompting Democrats on the panel to threaten contempt charges against Bondi and the Justice Department.

This development follows ongoing scrutiny of how Epstein's case was managed during Bondi's tenure. The House panel, led by Democrats, sought Bondi's appearance to address allegations of mishandling or withholding Epstein-related documents. Epstein, a financier convicted in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution, faced federal charges in 2019 before his death by suicide in a New York jail.

Bondi served as Attorney General from 2025 to an unspecified date in the Trump administration.

Epstein's 2019 arrest involved charges of sex trafficking minors, with documents revealing connections to high-profile individuals.

During Bondi's time as Florida Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, her office reached a controversial non-prosecution agreement with Epstein in 2008, which deferred prosecution for co-conspirators. The Justice Department under Bondi later faced questions about the release and redaction of Epstein files post-2019.

Criticism has centered on delays in document disclosure and potential conflicts of interest.

The New Yorker reported that Bondi's approach contributed to damage within the Justice Department, though specifics on Epstein were not detailed in that coverage. CNBC highlighted Democratic frustration with the Justice Department's response to congressional subpoenas.

testimony was scheduled for a date not specified in available reports, but its cancellation was announced recently.