All articles tagged with #house oversight committee
Democrats convened a Palm Beach field hearing to critique the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein abuse scandal, releasing a report accusing prosecutors of enabling a global trafficking network via a 2008 sweetheart deal. Survivors testified about abuse and retraumatization, while lawmakers pressed for more transparency and warned against granting any pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island several years after saying he cut ties, calling the visit “inexplicable.” Democrats labeled him evasive and signaled they may seek more questioning, potentially in public or sworn form, while the interview was transcribed rather than videotaped. No wrongdoing is alleged, but the exchange raises credibility questions as lawmakers press for full disclosure in the Epstein probe.
Lawmakers and federal investigators are opening a broad probe into reports that at least 10 scientists tied to sensitive U.S. nuclear and aerospace research have died or disappeared in recent years. The FBI is coordinating with the Defense Department, Energy, NASA and state/local authorities, while the House Oversight Committee seeks briefings on potential connections. Cases vary from unsolved homicides to missing-person searches, with no confirmed links so far, though officials say it’s a national-security concern and that authorities will look for ties to classified information or foreign actors.
The Department of Justice says former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for a scheduled House deposition on the Epstein files because she is no longer AG; the interview, set for April 14, will be coordinated with her personal counsel, and while some Republicans want her to testify, Democrats warn of possible enforcement actions if she does not appear.
The House Oversight Committee’s subpoena for Pam Bondi to testify about the DOJ’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the Epstein Files Transparency Act remains unresolved after the DOJ says Bondi, now no longer attorney general, isn’t obligated to appear; the subpoena was issued in her official capacity, the committee hasn’t withdrawn it, and lawmakers press for next steps with potential contempt if she defies the order.
House investigators pressed Epstein’s longtime accountant Richard Kahn in a closed deposition on Capitol Hill to understand how Epstein built his fortune and his ties to powerful financiers. Kahn said he hadn’t seen evidence of abuse and characterized Epstein’s money as coming from his work as a tax advisor and financial planner, while lawmakers highlighted significant funds from figures like Les Wexner and Leon Black and noted Epstein’s connections to dozens of entities; they’ve reviewed thousands of documents from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank as they seek a fuller picture of Epstein’s finances.
The House Oversight Committee voted along party lines to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi for sworn, closed-door testimony about how the Justice Department has handled the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with Rep. Nancy Mace leading the effort and five Republicans joining Democrats. Bondi could be compelled to answer more directly than in her February testimony and may face contempt if she refuses to appear, signaling ongoing GOP scrutiny of the Epstein case and the Trump administration’s handling of it.
The DOJ says a new batch of Epstein-related documents will be released soon as the House Oversight Committee moves to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi over how the agency has handled Epstein probes; the department defends its review process, noting that millions of documents have already been published but many more remain withheld under the Epstein Transparency Act, and pledges to republish any redaction errors.
At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison defended their handling of a massive fraud scandal centered on Feeding Our Future, while Republicans pressed for sworn depositions and alleged a cover-up; Democrats highlighted the Trump immigration surge and its impact on Minnesota, with Walz calling the crackdown politically motivated and Ellison saying it harmed the state. The committee released a report alleging concealment of fraud and questioned when the leaders first learned of investigations.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about how her office has handled the Jeffrey Epstein files, with five Republicans joining Democrats in pressuring for fuller disclosure as lawmakers argue the DOJ has withheld Epstein materials and seek more transparency.
The House Oversight Committee voted 24-19 to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi for a deposition to examine the DOJ’s handling of its Epstein investigation and its compliance with a law requiring Epstein-related documents to be publicly released, amid criticism that the DOJ has not released all files and has removed tens of thousands from public view; four Republicans joined most Democrats in backing the subpoena, underscoring concerns about transparency.
The House Oversight Committee expanded its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, sending transcribed-interview requests to Bill Gates and Kathryn Ruemmler. Ruemmler is slated to resign from Goldman Sachs amid scrutiny of her ties to Epstein, while Gates—though not accused of wrongdoing—appears in DOJ files related to Epstein. The panel is also pursuing testimony from other Epstein associates and estate co-executors in upcoming sessions.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick volunteered to be interviewed by the House Oversight Committee about his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein in a closed-door session, saying he did nothing wrong and aiming to set the record straight, with the transcript to be released after his attorney’s review as Democrats seek more records.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein; while he has not been accused of wrongdoing, bipartisan scrutiny has intensified after revelations including a 2012 trip to Epstein’s private island, and Rep. Nancy Mace says she will subpoena him if needed. Lutnick says he wants to set the record straight, the White House defends his role, and the testimony is expected to be scheduled behind closed doors in coming weeks.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee released videos of closed-door depositions from Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton as part of its Epstein investigation, with footage from the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, highlighting the Clintons’ involvement in the Epstein case.