CNN anchor Kate Bolduan pressed Rep. Nancy Mace on Friday over whether former Attorney General Pam Bondi will still be required to testify before Congress, even after her abrupt departure from the Department of Justice.
Bondi’s removal by Donald Trump marked the shortest tenure for a confirmed attorney general in six decades, according to reporting cited during the interview. Bolduan noted that accounts surrounding the firing suggest dissatisfaction from the president over Bondi’s handling of political opponents, as well as scrutiny tied to her management of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Before her exit, Bondi had been subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee and was scheduled to sit for a deposition regarding the Epstein files. That appearance now hangs in uncertainty, prompting questions about whether accountability will follow her out of office—or whether the process will stall.
Mace, who helped spearhead the subpoena effort, made clear she has no intention of backing down. She emphasized that the subpoena was issued to Bondi by name, not merely by virtue of her former position, meaning she remains legally obligated to appear before lawmakers.
“I’m not backing away from that,” Mace said, arguing that serious questions remain unanswered about how the Epstein files were handled. She added that Bondi possesses information that could be critical to the committee’s work and insisted that the matter is too important to be dropped quietly.
The South Carolina Republican acknowledged that moving forward may require building support within the committee, particularly if leadership seeks to change course. While she has not yet spoken directly with the committee chairman about next steps, Mace indicated she is prepared to rally both Republican and Democratic colleagues if necessary to ensure the deposition proceeds.
That effort, she suggested, could involve behind-the-scenes work to secure enough votes should the issue come to a formal decision. For now, she remains focused on maintaining momentum and pressing for answers.
Mace’s concerns extend beyond procedural questions. She sharply criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein-related materials, calling it inadequate and raising doubts about why certain files have not been made public. She also pointed to what she described as a broader communication failure, arguing that both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have been dismissed or mocked when seeking clarity.
In particular, Mace voiced concern about Todd Blanche, alleging that he has been dismissive toward lawmakers raising questions about the case. She framed the issue as part of a larger challenge facing the justice system—namely, restoring public trust.
For Mace, the stakes go beyond one deposition. She argued that the next attorney general must demonstrate that the law applies equally to all, regardless of wealth, power, or political connections. Ensuring that principle, she said, is essential to countering perceptions of a two-tiered system of justice.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between Congress and the Justice Department, as well as broader concerns about transparency and accountability in high-profile cases. With Bondi now out of office, the question remains whether those answers will still be demanded—or quietly left behind.
