'Wasted 3 minutes': James Comer clashes with Summer Lee during Pam Bondi Epstein briefing

WASHINGTON, DC: House Democrats walked out of a closed-door briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche after Bondi allegedly refused to commit to complying with a subpoena for sworn testimony on the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee had subpoenaed Bondi the day before for an April 14 appearance. Democrats on the panel accused her of stonewalling.

Rep Robert Garcia (D-Calif), the top Democrat on the committee, said Bondi “refused on multiple occasions to commit to following the subpoena.”

Bondi, joined by Blanche, briefed lawmakers on the Epstein files behind closed doors. She told the group, “We’re proud of the work we’ve done on this.”

After the session, Bondi told reporters she “made it crystal clear I will follow the law” when asked about the subpoena. The Oversight Committee’s Republican account also posted that “Bondi stated she would follow the law regarding her subpoena.”

Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky) sidestepped questions on whether the panel would hold Bondi in contempt if she skipped the deposition. “Well, we’ll have to, we’ll have to talk about that,” he said.

Summer Lee clashes with James Comer over cameras

Tensions boiled over during the private session when Rep Summer Lee (D-Pa) pressed Comer on procedure and the lack of transparency.

According to an account of the exchange shared by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Lee opened by telling Comer, “Mr Chairman, there are no cameras here. You don’t have to perform. We were told this was a briefing.”

Comer shot back, “It’s a briefing!” Lee continued, “But she hasn’t offered any information… This is a hearing. This is a hearing without the cameras. This is a hearing without C-SPAN. And it’s a hearing without the public. So, what I’m asking is….”

Comer interrupted, “You want me to scoot some chairs around and make a circle. Would that make it feel more like a briefing?”

Lee pressed on, “I would like C-SPAN. I would like you to bring the transcribers. I would like you to go through with the decorum and with the rules….”

Comer asked, “Are you trying to find information, or trying to embarrass the attorney general?”

Lee replied, “Absolutely not. I think the attorney general is a woman who is completely able to defend herself, and I’m not attacking her. I’m questioning you. You run this place. What I’m asking you is…. Will you commit to going as far as…”

Comer said, “I’ve already issued the subpoena…” Lee countered, “And this is not the deposition…” That’s when Comer cut her off. “You’ve wasted three minutes of everyone’s time just kind of, b*****ng…” he fumed.

Lee was taken aback. “Really? Wow! gossiping?” she asked. Comer later verified Collins’ account on X.

Lee later recounted the moment to reporters. “Instead of answering as an adult, he said that I was speaking ill of, which is again, something that would not be allowed if we were operating under the rules of this committee, because engaging in personalities is actually something that we are not able to do," she said.

The committee voted 24-19 earlier this month to issue the subpoena, with five Republicans joining Democrats. Comer had voted against the subpoena but sent it anyway.

Pam Bondi defends DOJ as Epstein redaction backlash grows

The briefing came amid ongoing criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law requires the public release of most records from the investigation into the late offender.

Many survivors and lawmakers have complained about heavy redactions, including some that left victim information exposed while shielding possible accomplices.

Bondi had praised the department’s compliance at a prior hearing last month. Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer and now deputy attorney general, defended specific decisions, including the removal of certain photographs from earlier releases.

Comer expressed frustration with the Democrats’ exit. “I’ve never seen members storm out of a briefing with the attorney general, and the entire leaders of the

Department of Justice are there to answer questions, and they don’t ask a single question,” he said.

Democrats countered that the session felt more like a staged hearing than the promised briefing, especially without public access or cameras. Bondi’s office had earlier called the subpoena “completely unnecessary,” noting ongoing meetings with Congress on the files.