Mace calls for Bondi to testify in Epstein files probe or be held in contempt

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina joined Democratic colleagues on Wednesday in demanding that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case files. The Justice Department formally notified Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, that Bondi would not appear for her scheduled deposition on April 14, setting the stage for a potential legal and political confrontation over the high-profile investigation. The subpoena centers on Bondi's knowledge and actions related to the federal investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019, Bondi's office interacted with federal authorities during the initial investigation and subsequent plea deal that has been widely criticized. The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman Comer, is seeking testimony to understand the extent of federal and state coordination and to examine whether political connections influenced the handling of the case. This development marks a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in the deeply divided committee, with Democrats having previously voiced similar concerns about transparency. The move to hold a former high-ranking official in contempt underscores the committee's determination to secure testimony it deems crucial. The standoff raises significant questions about executive privilege, the limits of congressional oversight, and the ongoing political ramifications of the Epstein scandal, which continues to implicate powerful figures years after his death. If the committee votes to hold Bondi in contempt, the matter would be referred to the full House of Representatives and could ultimately lead to a Justice Department prosecution, though such outcomes are historically rare. The episode highlights the enduring investigative and political appetite surrounding the Epstein files, which have been the subject of numerous congressional inquiries and public speculation about undisclosed connections and unresolved questions in the case.