James Comer

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said Wednesday he wants acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to testify next month about his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Comer told reporters the committee is seeking answers from Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee to permanently lead the Justice Department, as lawmakers continue to investigate the government's release of Epstein-related records.

"I've always wanted Blanche to come in," Comer said, according to Politico. "We have questions."

Comer said he is communicating with the DOJ about arranging an interview with Blanche, who has emerged as a central figure in the controversy surrounding the release of Epstein files and related documents.

"The main thing that we have for Blanche is the question on what, if any, documents are left out there," Comer said. "So that's the main question."

The push for Blanche's testimony gained momentum after former Attorney General Pam Bondi told House investigators she delegated oversight of the Epstein file release process to Blanche while he served as her deputy.

According to a committee transcript, Bondi told lawmakers that Blanche was responsible for supervising document reviews, training personnel, making privilege determinations, and deciding which materials would be released or withheld.

"I delegated that oversight over this process to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche," Bondi said during her interview with the committee.

The Epstein files controversy has become a growing issue on Capitol Hill.

Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, directing the DOJ to release nearly all unclassified records related to the case.

While the department says millions of pages have been made public, critics have pointed to delayed releases, redaction problems, and questions about whether additional documents remain undisclosed.

Oversight Democrats, led by Ranking Member Robert Garcia of California, have also demanded testimony from Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Garcia argued Bondi repeatedly shifted responsibility to Blanche during her committee appearance and claimed key decisions regarding the review and release of records were made under his supervision.

Democrats have gone further, accusing DOJ officials of mishandling the process and suggesting they could force a committee vote to subpoena Blanche if he does not appear voluntarily.

For Republicans, however, the focus remains on determining whether any unreleased Epstein-related documents still exist and ensuring compliance with federal transparency requirements.

The request comes at a sensitive time for Blanche, whose nomination to become attorney general is expected to face close scrutiny in the Senate.

Any appearance before the Oversight Committee could place additional attention on his role in one of Washington's most politically charged investigations.