U.S. President Donald Trump removed Pam Bondi from her post on April 2, and appointed Todd Blanche as the acting attorney general. Despite her sudden firing, there are growing concerns over whether Bondi will still be subject to a congressional hearing scheduled for April 14.
Early indications from lawmakers suggest that her firing may not shield her from testifying under oath. Members who voted to subpoena Bondi stated that she will still be required to appear for a scheduled deposition before the House Oversight Committee.
The hearing is due to her handling of the Justice Department's files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has come under fire from congressional investigators from both parties.
Senior Democrats have vowed to compel her testimony, arguing that removal from office does not negate congressional authority.
Representative Robert Garcia of California said, “She will not escape accountability and remains legally obligated to appear before our Committee under oath. She must answer for her mishandling of the Epstein files and the special treatment she has given Ghislaine Maxwell.”
