House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding explanations for her department's handling of the Epstein investigation files. This decision comes after bipartisan support within the committee, with five Republicans joining Democrats to endorse the motion initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) earlier this month.

In his letter to Bondi, Comer expressed concerns about the Department of Justice's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed last year, which mandates the release of these documents. He stated, "As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the Committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts."

This subpoena follows a contentious interaction between Bondi and lawmakers during a House Judiciary Committee hearing last month, where Bondi repeatedly refused to answer questions, resorting to insults when pressed on her management of the files.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), expressed his loss of confidence in Bondi post-hearing, questioning her capability as the nation's top law enforcement official.

Additionally, the Oversight Committee has previously subpoenaed high-profile figures such as former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton in its broader investigation into Epstein's connections and activities.

A press release from the committee noted that Bondi, along with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, will provide a closed-door briefing to committee members on Wednesday. House Democrats have also indicated plans to subpoena Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who admitted to visiting Epstein’s Caribbean island in 2012 but denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities.

Comer mentioned last week that he was in talks with Lutnick about a potential hearing date, expressing hope to have both Bondi and Lutnick testify "very, very soon."

The growing scrutiny over Bondi's handling of the Epstein files has been intensifying, with criticism coming from both sides of the aisle. The backlash began months before the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law, following a controversial statement from the DOJ last summer indicating no further documents would be released after a preliminary batch, which was largely already public. This statement had previously ignited outrage among key figures within the MAGA movement.