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Top House Democrat questions GOP shifts in plans for Bondi deposition

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by Rebecca Beitsch - 05/04/26 11:13 AM ET

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by Rebecca Beitsch - 05/04/26 11:13 AM ET

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House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Democrats are raising questions about a number of unusual aspects agreed to by the panel’s Republicans for a slated deposition with former Attorney General Pam Bondi, including whether she will be under oath and videotaped.

The letter also indicates Bondi would be represented by Harmeet Dhillon, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights.

Bondi is now set to appear for a transcribed interview rather than a deposition over her handling of the Epstein files, something Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, described as a “purely voluntary proceeding.”

“You have agreed to permit former Attorney General Pamela Bondi to appear before this Committee in a transcribed interview rather than a sworn deposition, which she is required to do pursuant to the subpoena that this Committee duly issued to her,” Garcia wrote, adding that under the interview format, Bondi could decline to answer questions without providing “a valid ground for doing so,” such as declining under the Fifth Amendment.

An Oversight Committee GOP aide said witnesses under transcribed interviews can still face penalties for failing to give truthful testimony and must “verbally acknowledge that they understand their obligation to tell the truth.”

Garcia also said doing a transcript interview would fail to include a video release.

“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 a transcript simply cannot, such as her demeanor, expression, and conduct. Allowing Ms. Bondi to testify without being filmed is also a sharp departure from your practice with other prominent witnesses who have appeared,” he wrote, noting the recent appearance of former President Clinton and former first lady and secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Garcia also questioned Bondi’s apparent representation by Dhillon.

“If Assistant Attorney General Dhillon purports to represent Ms. Bondi in a personal capacity, contrary to appearances, then her engagement raises 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. Such an engagement would also quite clearly violate DOJ policy,” which requires a waiver to take on such legal work, he wrote.

The Oversight Committee GOP aide said House rules allow the arrangement.

“House regulations for depositions say two nongovernmental lawyers and ‘other persons, including government agency personnel, may not attend.’ Transcribed interviews have no regulations governing them. Former Attorney General Bondi has cooperated on setting a date. When witnesses cooperate and appear voluntarily, the Committee typically allows them to be transcribed interviews,” they said.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrangement.

Bondi was subpoenaed in March under an effort by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), with four Republicans voting alongside every Democrat to subpoena her.

Garcia has also accused the committee’s GOP leadership of holding roundtables rather than formal hearings to cut off members’ ability to make motions to subpoena additional witnesses.

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