Oversight Democrats Warn Blanche: 'You're Next' for Subpoena

House Oversight Committee Democrats warned Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that he could face a congressional subpoena after former AG Pam Bondi failed to appear for her scheduled April 14 deposition on the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.¹

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the committee’s ranking Democrat, issued the warning during a press conference outside the hearing room where Bondi had been expected to testify. “If the Department of Justice thinks they can ignore congressional subpoenas, Acting Attorney General Blanche should know he’s next,” Garcia said.¹

Bondi’s Non-Appearance

The House Oversight Committee had subpoenaed Bondi for a deposition regarding what lawmakers described as “possible mismanagement” of the Epstein-Maxwell investigation and document release process. The subpoena was authorized in a bipartisan vote on March 4.

DOJ attorneys informed the committee on the morning of April 14 that Bondi would not appear. The department cited executive privilege and separation of powers concerns in a letter to Chairman James Comer (R-KY), arguing that compelling testimony from a former cabinet member about internal deliberations would set a harmful precedent.

Committee staff said the letter arrived approximately two hours before the scheduled deposition time. Democrats said the late notice was itself a sign of bad faith.

‘Obstruction’ Accusations

Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) called the DOJ’s refusal to produce Bondi “obstruction, plain and simple.”¹

“This is a lawful subpoena authorized by a bipartisan vote of this committee,” Lee said. “The Department of Justice does not get to decide which congressional subpoenas it follows and which it ignores.”

Lee added that the refusal to produce Bondi was consistent with what she described as a pattern of DOJ resistance to Epstein-related transparency. She cited the department’s previous disputes with Congress over the completeness of document releases and the extent of redactions in published files.

Contempt Discussion

Several Democratic members characterized Bondi’s non-appearance as contempt of Congress. Garcia said the committee would “consider all available tools” to compel testimony but did not commit to a specific timeline for contempt proceedings.

A contempt referral would require majority support on the committee and a full House vote. Chairman Comer did not hold a separate press conference after the non-appearance. A committee spokesperson said Comer was “reviewing the department’s response and consulting with counsel.”

The bipartisan nature of the original subpoena vote — which saw five Republicans join all Democrats — indicated potential Republican support for enforcement action.

Blanche as Target

Garcia’s warning to Blanche signals that committee Democrats view the current acting AG as equally accountable for DOJ transparency failures. Blanche’s earlier statements about moving past Epstein files, followed by his denial of making those statements, have placed him in the crosshairs of oversight efforts.

The committee has authority to issue subpoenas to sitting executive branch officials, though such actions typically trigger legal disputes over executive privilege. Democrats indicated they would pursue testimony from Blanche if DOJ continues to resist cooperation with the committee’s Epstein investigation.

References

1. Oversight Democrats warn Blanche he’s next for subpoena after Bondi no-show - MS Now