Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) issued a stark warning to former Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday, threatening her with contempt of Congress if she fails to appear for a scheduled deposition regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case. The House Oversight Committee demands her testimony as part of its bipartisan investigation into Epstein’s network.
Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, was subpoenaed last month after investigators identified potential connections between her office and Epstein associates. Congressional sources confirm the subpoena explicitly required her appearance on Tuesday.
‘This isn’t optional – it’s a legal obligation,’ said one committee staffer speaking anonymously about ongoing proceedings. Legal analysts note this escalation follows months of stalled interviews with key figures in the Epstein case.
The deposition comes amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s plea deal during Bondi’s tenure. While no evidence suggests her direct involvement, investigators seek clarification on several 2011-2015 communications between her office and Epstein’s legal team.
Should Bondi refuse to testify, constitutional scholars warn it could trigger prolonged legal battles. ‘Contempt citations against former officials are rare but not unprecedented,’ noted Georgetown law professor Joanna Wright. ‘This could test the limits of congressional oversight powers.’