Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) sent a letter to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) on Monday, urging the panel’s leadership to film and publicly release former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony on the release of the Epstein files slated for May 29.
Garcia, the investigative committee’s top Democrat, has caused a stir over Bondi’s appearance, as the letter follows Democrats threatening to hold the former attorney general and anyone who fails to show up for Epstein depositions in contempt of Congress.
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Comer and oversight Republicans have called Garcia’s plan to hold Bondi in contempt “theater” and subsequently announced her hearing date for May 29.
In his letter, Garcia said Bondi’s testimony being held as a transcribed interview raises concerns of transparency, and that a deposition is the “best available forum.” Transcribed interviews are voluntary, giving witnesses the opportunity to refuse to answer questions.
“A failure to film and release a video of Ms. Bondi’s testimony would present a grave injustice to the American people and survivors of Epstein’s crimes, all of whom are calling upon Congress for transparency,” Garcia said. “Filming and releasing a recording are critical to providing the public with an unvarnished, candid view of Ms. Bondi’s testimony and capturing aspects that transcript cannot, such as her demeanor, expression, and conduct.”
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Garcia noted that other high-profile figures have appeared before the panel as part of the investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and retail mogul Les Wexner.
Another point of contention for Garcia, as it pertains to Bondi’s testimony, is that Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon will be her legal representation.
Garcia said Dhillon’s attendance would violate a committee rule that limits witnesses’ attorneys to two nongovernmental lawyers, specifying that government agency personnel may not attend. He said if Dhillon follows through with representing Bondi, it would raise “troubling ethical concerns.”
“In that case, there would be a clear conflict of interest between Ms. Dhillon’s duties to DOJ and to Ms. Bondi individually,” Garcia said.
A source familiar with the committee’s activities told the Washington Examiner that House regulations for transcribed interviews differ from those of depositions.
The rule regarding government personnel attending Bondi’s appearance and representing her applies only to depositions, and transcribed interviews “have no regulations governing them.” Bondi’s cooperation with setting a date to appear before the committee likely led them to grant her a transcribed interview.
“When witnesses cooperate and appear voluntarily, the Committee typically allows them to be transcribed interviews,” the source said.
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Bondi was subpoenaed to appear before the panel in March, with her appearance set for April 14, but she was subpoenaed in her capacity as attorney general, a role she was removed from.
In her final weeks at the Justice Department, Bondi testified before Congress and acknowledged her mistakes in handling the release of the Epstein files, and her tenure was marked by the DOJ failing to pursue additional prosecutions of alleged associates.
Kaelan Deese contributed to this report.
