{"id":2598450,"date":"2026-05-04T10:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/garcia-pushes-comer-to-film-and-release-bondi-epstein-testimony\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T10:57:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:57:49","slug":"garcia-pushes-comer-to-film-and-release-bondi-epstein-testimony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/garcia-pushes-comer-to-film-and-release-bondi-epstein-testimony\/","title":{"rendered":"Garcia pushes Comer to film and release Bondi Epstein testimony"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgarcia-pushes-comer-to-film-and-release-bondi-epstein-testimony%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2598450&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) has written House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) urging the committee to film and publicly release former Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s testimony about the Epstein files scheduled for May 29. Garcia argues that keeping the testimony as a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >transcribed interview undermines openness<\/a> and compares it to past Epstein-related appearances that were handled with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ca-state-retirement-fund-lost-71-of-468m-put-in-clean-energy\/\" title=\"CA state retirement fund lost 71% of 8M put in clean energy\">greater public disclosure<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p>He also raises an ethics concern over Bondi\u2019s portrayal: Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is expected to attend, which Garcia says would violate committee rules that limit witnesses\u2019 attorneys during depositions and bar certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-china-is-stealing-dna-of-u-s-citizens\/\" title=\"...ort: China is Stealing DNA of U.S. Citizens\">government personnel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A committee source told the Washington Examiner that transcribed interviews operate under different regulations than depositions, and that voluntary cooperation typically leads to transcripts rather than filmed depositions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) sent a letter to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-oversight-committee\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1524\">House Oversight and Government Reform Committee<\/a> Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-comer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1931\">James Comer<\/a> (R-KY) on Monday, urging the panel\u2019s leadership to film and publicly release former Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11687\">Pam Bondi\u2019s<\/a> testimony on the release of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17582\">Epstein files<\/a> slated for May 29. <\/p>\n<p>Garcia, the investigative committee\u2019s top Democrat, has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4547542\/democrats-pam-bondi-epstein-depositions-contempt-of-congress\/\">caused a stir over<\/a> Bondi\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4553311\/robert-garcia-pushes-james-comer-film-release-bondi-testimony-epstein-files\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Robert Garcia pushes James Comer to film and release Bondi\u2019s testimony on Epstein files<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4551691\/tensions-john-thune-mike-johnson-loom-gop-immigration-push\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tensions between John Thune and Mike Johnson loom over GOP immigration push<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4552172\/democrats-florida-passed-desantis-map-gerrymander\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The Democrats who are scrambling after Florida passed DeSantis\u2019s map gerrymander<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Comer and oversight Republicans have called Garcia\u2019s plan to hold Bondi in contempt \u201ctheater\u201d and subsequently announced her hearing date for May 29. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In his letter, Garcia said Bondi\u2019s testimony being held as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/robert-garcia-pushes-james-comer-to-film-and-release-bondis-testimony-on-epstein-files\/\" title=\"... pushes James Comer to film and ... Bondi&#039;s testimony on ...\">transcribed interview raises concerns<\/a> of transparency, and that a deposition is the \u201cbest available forum.\u201d Transcribed interviews are voluntary, giving witnesses the opportunity to refuse to answer questions. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cA failure to film and release a video of Ms. Bondi\u2019s testimony would present a grave injustice to the American people and survivors of Epstein\u2019s crimes, all of whom are calling upon Congress for transparency,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cFilming and releasing a recording are critical to providing the public with an unvarnished, candid view of Ms. Bondi\u2019s testimony and capturing aspects that\u00a0 transcript cannot, such as her demeanor, expression, and conduct.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/WATCH: HOUSE RELEASES BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON\u2019S EPSTEIN DEPOSITION VIDEOS\">WATCH: HOUSE RELEASES BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON\u2019S EPSTEIN DEPOSITION VIDEOS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-clinton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"703\">Bill Clinton<\/a>, former Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hillary-clinton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8\">Hillary Clinton<\/a>, and retail mogul Les Wexner. <\/p>\n<p>Another point of contention for Garcia, as it pertains to Bondi\u2019s testimony, is that Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/harmeet-dhillon\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10095\">Harmeet Dhillon<\/a> will be her legal representation.<\/p>\n<p>Garcia said Dhillon\u2019s attendance would violate a committee rule that limits witnesses\u2019 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 \u201ctroubling ethical concerns.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn that case, there would be a clear conflict of interest between Ms. Dhillon\u2019s duties to DOJ and to Ms. Bondi individually,\u201d Garcia said. <\/p>\n<p>A source familiar with the committee\u2019s activities told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that House regulations for transcribed interviews differ from those of depositions. <\/p>\n<p>The rule regarding government personnel attending Bondi\u2019s appearance and representing her applies only to depositions, and transcribed interviews \u201chave no regulations governing them.\u201d Bondi\u2019s cooperation with setting a date to appear before the committee likely led them to grant her a transcribed interview. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen witnesses cooperate and appear voluntarily, the Committee typically allows them to be transcribed interviews,\u201d the source said. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4552810\/blanche-comey-86-47-seashell-photo-trump\/\"><strong>BLANCHE SAYS IT WAS NOT JUST COMEY\u2019S \u201986 47\u2032 SEASHELL POST THAT LED TO INDICTMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><em>Kaelan Deese contributed to this report. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Garcia urges filming and public release of Pam Bondi\u2019s May 29 Epstein testimony<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2598451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26092623351397.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[10123,6571,4188,5894,8676],"class_list":["post-2598450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-courts","tag-elections","tag-media","tag-politics","tag-testimony"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26092623351397.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598450"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2598458,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598450\/revisions\/2598458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2598451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}