The Justice Department announced Wednesday that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear for her upcoming deposition in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, citing her departure from office.

The decision represents the latest obstacle in Congress’ efforts to secure Bondi’s sworn testimony regarding the department’s release of investigative files on the late convicted sex offender.

In a letter to House Oversight Chairman James Comer, Assistant Attorney General Patrick D. Davis explained that Bondi had been subpoenaed in her official capacity as attorney general, not as a private citizen. “Ms. Bondi no longer holds that office. As a result, because Ms. Bondi no longer can testify in her official capacity as Attorney General, the Department’s position is that the subpoena no longer obligates her to appear on April 14. We kindly ask that you confirm that the subpoena is withdrawn,” Davis wrote, according to a copy obtained by CNN.

Despite the Justice Department’s stance, the committee signaled it intends to press forward.

A spokeswoman for the Republican-led panel said the committee “will contact Pam Bondi’s personal counsel to discuss next steps regarding scheduling her deposition.”

Top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Robert Garcia, insisted Bondi must testify regardless of her former title. “Our bipartisan subpoena is to Pam Bondi, whether she is the Attorney General or not. She must come in to testify immediately, and if she defies the subpoena, we will begin contempt charges in the Congress. The survivors deserve justice,” Garcia said.

The bipartisan subpoena was issued last month, with five Republicans joining Democrats. GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, who spearheaded the effort, reiterated Wednesday that the subpoena remains valid. “Pam Bondi cannot escape accountability simply because she no longer holds the office of Attorney General. Our motion to subpoena Pam Bondi, which was passed by the Oversight Committee, was for Bondi by name, not by title. She will still have to appear before the Oversight Committee for a sworn deposition,” Mace wrote on X. “The American people deserve answers, and we expect her to appear as soon as a new date is set.”

Even prior to Bondi’s departure from the administration, Democrats and some Republicans worked to prevent Comer from rescinding the subpoena. This week, Mace and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna sent a letter urging Comer to “publicly reaffirm” Bondi’s scheduled deposition.

Comer, who did not initially vote for the subpoena, said he planned to consult Republicans before making a decision. “I haven’t talked to Republicans, I’m sure I’ll give them a call this weekend,” Comer said. “I don’t know what is going to happen. We’ll talk to the Republicans. But as of now, I plan on moving forward with all of our subpoenas.”

Comer previously noted that rescinding the subpoena would require legal consultation due to uncertainties about the process.

Bondi’s tenure in the Trump administration had already been strained over her handling of the Epstein investigation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, asked Tuesday about the subpoena, said he would leave the matter “to Chairman Comer and others to figure out.”