WATCH: Pressley Joins Oversight Dems Filing Contempt Charges Against Bondi, Demands Accountability for Epstein Survivors

April 29, 2026 WATCH: Pressley Joins Oversight Dems Filing Contempt Charges Against Bondi, Demands Accountability for Epstein Survivors “Whether you’re a politician, a prince, or a president—we will not let go and a reckoning is on the way.” 45 Minutes Later, Republicans Announce Date for Bondi’s Appearance Video (YouTube) WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Oversight Democrats in filing a resolution to hold former Attorney General Pam Bondi in civil contempt of Congress after she failed to appear for her legally-binding, bipartisan subpoena to be deposed on the Epstein investigation and the White House’s cover-up of the Epstein files. The resolution would instruct the House of Representatives to go to court to compel Bondi’s testimony. This morning, Rep. Pressley joined Ranking Member Garcia and colleagues for a media availability on the resolution. Less than an hour later, Oversight Republicans announced a date for Bondi’s appearance. “Today we filed contempt charges against Pam Bondi to hold her accountable for defying her legal obligation to testify on her handling of the Epstein files—an important step toward accountability for survivors. Less than an hour later, Republicans announced a date for her appearance,” said Congresswoman Pressley in a statement . “Republicans cannot run from their cover-up of powerful, wealthy, and well-connected predators like Donald Trump. Whether you’re a politician, a prince, or a president—we will not let go and a reckoning is on the way.” In March 2026, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform secured a bipartisan subpoena for then-Attorney General Pam Bondi following a motion supported by all Committee Democrats joined by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Michael Cloud, Rep. Scott Perry, and Rep. Tim Burchett. The bipartisan subpoena passed the House Oversight Committee 24 to 19. On April 14, 2026, Pam Bondi refused to appear for her deposition before the Oversight Committee, despite the lawful bipartisan subpoena the Committee issued. The subpoena remains legally binding, even after Bondi was fired. The subpoena followed the Department of Justice’s botched release of the Epstein files and the continued White House cover-up. Footage of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks during the media availability is available here and a transcript is available below. Transcript: Pressley Joins Oversight Dems Filing Contempt Charges Against Bondi, Demands Accountability for Epstein Survivors U.S. House of Representatives April 29, 2026 Just to level set why we’re all here: it is about the survivors. And this is quite literally a matter of life and death. From our earliest meetings with the survivors, they made impassioned appeals to us that this not be one more demonstration of what has been an institutional betrayal for decades, where many have been complicit in protecting the powerful, the wealthy, and well-connected who participated in this pedophile Ponzi scheme. We stand before the Oversight Committee room, a room now that bears the painting of Elijah Cummings, who reminded me as a freshman when I started on this committee that the work of the Committee on Oversight is to be in efficient and effective pursuit of the truth. And under this Republican majority, everything that they have done has flown in the face of the integrity of this committee and what our job is. [Republicans have] canceled hearings. [Bondi] has defied and not complied with a legally binding subpoena. Our resolution is essential in getting us one step closer to accountability for the victims who have been sentenced with a lifetime sentence of navigating trauma and depression and suicide ideation, whose bodies were violated, whose dignity was violated, whose dreams were violated. We have a responsibility to them that these vermin be held accountable for their vile acts. And whether you are a politician, a prince, or a president, we will not let go and a reckoning is on the way. — In recent interviews , Rep. Pressley described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her. Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom. In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities. Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388 , legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560 , a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice. In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021. ### Back to News Next Article Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email