this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026
413 points (99.3% liked)

politics

29681 readers
44 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

The Department of Justice said Wednesday that Pam Bondi will not appear for her upcoming deposition in the House Oversight Committee’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation given that she is no longer serving as the US attorney general.

The department argued that Bondi was subpoenaed in her official role as attorney general and not in a personal capacity. As such, she won’t appear on Capitol Hill on April 14 to discuss her role overseeing the release of the Epstein Files, Assistant Attorney General Patrick D. Davis wrote in a letter to House Oversight Chairman James Comer.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] ceenote@lemmy.world 233 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The department argued that Bondi was subpoenaed in her official role as attorney general

That's just a blatant fucking lie. The subpoena was for Pam Bondi by name.

[–] Fishnoodle@lemmy.world 97 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Yeah, I was going to say. She's still the same person, and she can absolutely be subpeonad

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 29 points 1 month ago (2 children)

That is some sovereign citizen logic from the department

[–] Itdidnttrickledown@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

They have the right profile.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] orclev@lemmy.world 161 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Man, someone called this play on the day they fired Bondi. It will be interesting to see if Congress lets them get away with it or if they charge her with contempt.

[–] evenglow@lemmy.world 61 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Great example why so many in Congress are getting out while they still can. Don't have answer questions under oath.

That's why the clintons didn't have to answer questions under oath

oh wait... not that. I guess you only have to answer under oath if the party with the majority decides it.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] kylie_kraft@lemmy.world 33 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Man, someone called this play on the day they fired Bondi.

I know I can't be the only one, but I did!

[–] aramis87@fedia.io 24 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Congress said up front that they still expected her to appear; let's see if they let them get away with it this time. [Spoiler alert: they will.]

[–] Town@lemmy.zip 19 points 1 month ago

Fun fact, criminal contempt of Congress requires a full vote for civil contempt, and then refers them DOJ to decide if they want to prosecute, which they likely decline.

They also can sent their Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest and bring her to Congress, and held until she complies.

https://www.findlaw.com/litigation/legal-system/contempt-of-congress-process-and-penalties.html

[–] SaraTonin@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Also be interesting if she does appear to see what she says. I bet it’ll be very different from last time…

[–] monkeyslikebananas2@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

“I don’t recall”

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 68 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Hahahah, then she can be arrested as a private citizen for contempt of Congress.

Holy fuck these people are stupid.

[–] 8oow3291d@feddit.dk 13 points 1 month ago (3 children)

But isn't it the DoJ who would have to bring the indictment leading to the arrest?

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 1 month ago (10 children)

If she's still in DC, Congress actually controls the Capitol Police.

https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IN/PDF/IN11570/IN11570.4.pdf

It would... maybe be unprecedented for them to say, arrest her if she ever is on/in any of the areas of the Capitol they have jurisdiction over... but you can make a case that that's within their lawful powers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_Police

Wiki says they technically have nationwide jurisdiction.

If Trump gets to turn ICE into the Gestapo, why not?

Congress could theoretically turn them into something like the US Marshalls.

[–] 8oow3291d@feddit.dk 4 points 1 month ago

Capitol Police

And remind me, which party is currently in control of Congress, to order the Capitol Police to take this unprecedented action?

load more comments (9 replies)
[–] phutatorius@lemmy.zip 10 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Congress can find someone in contempt, and they can direct US Marshalls to round up anyone who tries to run off.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

What's your second guess?

[–] zd9@lemmy.world 54 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Burn down every single Republican (legally and politically) and start from scratch. The whole lot of them are evil and corrupt. A decent chunk of Democrats too.

I hope she faces justice in other ways from the actual QAnon crazies who really care about the fact that Trump raped children for decades.

[–] Triumph@fedia.io 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] zd9@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Don't write anything online you wouldn't want read back to you in a court of law. The reader can infer whatever they want from any comment I write.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 36 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Chairman needs to respond with, "The only excuses for absence we'll allow are death or incarceration."

[–] grue@lemmy.world 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Nah, even in that second case they should have her dragged out there in an orange jumpsuit.

Even in that first case they should have her dragged out there in an orange jumpsuit.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 32 points 1 month ago

If something real would actually start happening to the corrupt pieces of filth, the world would be much better off.

[–] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 32 points 1 month ago

Oh yeah everyone knows if you get fired from your job you can’t be held responsible for anything you did at that job

[–] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 26 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The actual letter sent yesterday by Ro Khanna and Nancy Mace to Chairman Comer explains that the DoJ refusal to have Bondi appear has no legal substance at all. It's an easy read, so I included the text along with the source. See it for yourself.

Note especially the assertion made in paragraph 5, "As you know, Congress's oversight authority does not end when an official leaves office. In fact, just last year the Committee issued subpoenas to six former Attorneys General, spanning multiple administrations of both political parties."

Source

Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515

April 7, 2026

The Honorable James Comer
Chairman
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Comer,

We urge you to make clear former Attorney General Pam Bondi remains obligated to comply with the Oversight Committee's subpoena and appear for her scheduled deposition on April 14, 2026.

We moved to subpoena Pam Bondi, and the Committee voted to approve this motion on a bipartisan basis, because the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) still has not complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act (Public Law No: 119-38), and because serious questions remain regarding the DOJ's non-compliance and their handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates while she was Attorney General.

The removal of Pam Bondi as Attorney General does not diminish the Committee's legitimate oversight interests in seeking her sworn testimony or the need for accountability and information about files withheld from the public by the DOJ. On the contrary, it makes her sworn testimony even more important, especially with respect to actions she took as Attorney General, matters already under investigation, and decisions made under her leadership.

When Pam Bondi appeared last month for a briefing, you reiterated you would continue to pursue her sworn testimony and would discuss holding her in contempt of Congress if she failed to comply. She also stated that she would follow the law with respect to her subpoena, which clearly requires her to appear before the Oversight Committee.

As you know, Congress's oversight authority does not end when an official leaves office. In fact, just last year the Committee issued subpoenas to six former Attorneys General, spanning multiple administrations of both political parties. The American people deserve answers about whether Congress was misled and whether information is being withheld by the DOJ.

We ask you to publicly reaffirm that Pam Bondi must appear on April 14 for a sworn deposition as ordered or face appropriate enforcement if she refuses to comply.

Sincerely,

Ro Khanna
Member of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives

Nancy Mace
Member of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] SarcasticMan@lemmy.world 25 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Oh nice just in time too, since SCOTUS vacated Bannon's contempt of congress. Fucking shower of bastards

[–] TwilitSky@lemmy.world 24 points 1 month ago (4 children)

"The department argued that Bondi was subpoenaed in her official role as attorney general"

Who wrote this slop? Lindsey Halligan?

There's only one witness who can answer what happened and why under her tenure at DOJ.

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 21 points 1 month ago

Yeah, that's not how subpoenas work. Hold her in contempt.

[–] Furbag@lemmy.world 18 points 1 month ago (1 children)

How convenient for her 🙄

[–] phutatorius@lemmy.zip 13 points 1 month ago

Good thing it's not up to the DoJ.

[–] UnspecificGravity@piefed.social 15 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Good thing Congress has the authority to subpoena whoever they fuck they want.

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 month ago

Yeah I... this is amazing.

If she is a private citizen, well now she can be arrested for contempt of Congress.

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 month ago

If the country survives the fascists and then no one gets held to account, I hope at least Aaron Sorkin can make a show pretending there were consequences so we can all have copium again.

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago
[–] Almacca@aussie.zone 9 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I support raking her over the coals, but it's not as if she'll give any kind of sane testimony anyway. Does no-one remember the 'DOW IS AT 50,000' nonsense?

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] phutatorius@lemmy.zip 8 points 1 month ago

"You can't charge me with bank robbery! I stopped robbing banks a week or more ago!"

[–] BillCheddar@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

Every single goddamn Republican is a traitor.

[–] SnarkoPolo@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Just fucking face it.

The only people involved with Epstein who are ever going to face justice, are any Democrats who might be in the files.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Just to be clear, because I've seen it in a lot of these threads.

She can't hide behind the executive from contempt of congress. She may be able to dodge a criminal charge, but congress has the power of inherent contempt.

Under inherent contempt, either chamber can direct its Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest and detain a person without relying on the courts or executive branch. The individual is brought before the chamber for proceedings and can be held until they comply or the congressional session ends.

Congress can literally physically force a person to be held in custody until they comply. It hasn't been used since the 1930s but it is very much a thing that can be done.

Just like the Judicial branch doesn't require the executive branch in order to enforce a court order or contempt. It can deputize people to see that its will is done.

The executive doesn't have exclusive rights to use force to compel obedience, all branches can but have rarely needed to.

[–] CainTheLongshot@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Right. So we just need Congress to do something it doesn't want to do.

The purpose of a system is what it does.

I swear, this midterm is going to end up with another 45-50% voter turn out and people will continue to complain that nothing changes or has gotten worse.

People: IF YOUR VOTE DIDN'T MATTER, THEY WOULDN'T BE SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY AND EFFORT TO KEEP YOU FROM VOTING!

I don't care if you live in a +60 (your political leaning) district. Vote in spite of that and make it +61.

Vote in every god damn election you fucking can, down to School District Board elections and even HOA's. My city councilman just lost reelection by 1 fucking vote to some douchbag who will probably get bought out by some data center asshole within a week, and even though turn out was historically high, it was still only 18-20%. And when i asked my very liberal neighbor if she and her husband voted, she said "No, we just didn't have time". 🤦🏻

At least in my area, you are allowed to take time away from work to vote, it doesn't matter what the election is for.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND FUCKING USE THEM!

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Jaysyn@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Oh, it may not be this year, but she will testify.

[–] 8oow3291d@feddit.dk 4 points 1 month ago

Republicans are "governing" as if they know a Democrat will never be in power again, to hold them accountable.

[–] tidderuuf@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Anyone want to take a bet that the SC will vote that subpoenas have no power when this inevitably reaches them?

They already ruled that being in contempt has no consequences.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Congress can and should have her ass dragged in there by force if she refuses to appear.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago
load more comments
view more: next ›