Ranking Member Robert Garcia Demands Pam Bondi Legally Comply with Oversight Committee Subpoena on Epstein Files
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is an Act of Congress that mandates the release of the Epstein files, but prevents the release of files pertaining to an “active investigation.” The Administration can weaponize this by starting fake investigations.
The Oversight Committee subpoena mandates the release of the Epstein files, and does not prevent the release of “active investigation” files.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to emphasize to Attorney General Bondi that the subpoena from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requires the full, unredacted Epstein files to be turned over to the Committee, including any classified materials and information tied to ongoing investigations, while still protecting the identities of survivors and potential victims. The letter comes following a statement by Donald Trump that “the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to,” and amid concerns that President Trump will exploit a provision of the recently-passed Epstein Files Transparency Act, which allows the DOJ to withhold information relevant to ongoing investigations. After Donald Trump failed to defeat the bill, he launched politically motivated investigations of political opponents.
“Despite signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act, it’s crystal clear that Donald Trump and Pam Bondi may use language in the law to slow or stop release of the files by launching a new bogus Epstein investigation. The Oversight Committee subpoena does not allow the Administration to hold back the Epstein files for any reason. Oversight Democrats will continue to apply pressure and make it clear there is no justification for any cover up,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
In the letter, Ranking Member Garcia wrote, “After months of perpetuating his coverup of the Epstein files, President Donald Trump has finally been forced to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed almost unanimously by Congress, requiring the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the files to the public within 30 days. This law is a critical step for transparency, passed despite President Trump’s overwhelming efforts to defeat it. There is already a concern President Trump will attempt, on dubious legal grounds, to exploit a provision which allows DOJ to withhold information relevant to ongoing investigations. I write to remind you that the subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requires you to release the complete, un-redacted Epstein files to the Committee, including classified information and material relevant to ongoing investigations, while protecting the identity of survivors and potential victims. Any additional federal investigations launched by the DOJ or the President do not impact our subpoena.”
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