Jeff Sessions Subpoenaed by Congress in Expanding Epstein Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 6, 2025 - Former U.S. Attorney General and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions has been subpoenaed by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to testify in connection with its widening investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The subpoena, issued Tuesday by Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), calls for Sessions to appear for a deposition on August 28, 2025.

Sessions joins a list of high-profile figures-including Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, William Barr, and Robert Mueller-who have been ordered to testify about their knowledge of Epstein's activities and the Justice Department's response during their respective tenures.

Focus on DOJ Actions During Sessions' Tenure

The committee's letter to Sessions cites his time as Attorney General from 2017 to 2018, a period during which the Department of Justice was litigating against Epstein's victims under the Crime Victims' Rights Act. The committee is particularly interested in whether Sessions' DOJ was involved in any investigations that led to Epstein's final arrest in 2019, and whether his office had knowledge of the controversial non-prosecution agreement Epstein received in 2008.

Chairman Comer emphasized the importance of congressional oversight in the matter:

Renewed Scrutiny and Political Tensions

The subpoenas come amid a surge in public interest following revelations that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, was quietly transferred to a lower-security prison in Texas. Maxwell has reportedly offered to testify before Congress in exchange for clemency and advance access to committee questions, though lawmakers have rejected those conditions.

Sessions has not publicly commented on the subpoena. His silence contrasts with the committee's increasingly vocal push for transparency, which has drawn bipartisan support. A subcommittee vote last month saw three Republicans join Democrats in approving the motion to subpoena the Department of Justice for the full, unredacted Epstein files.

Alabama Connection and Broader Implications

Sessions, a native of Selma and longtime political figure in Alabama, served as U.S. Attorney General under President Donald Trump before resigning in 2018. His involvement in the Epstein probe adds a new layer of complexity to the investigation, which has already touched multiple presidential administrations and law enforcement agencies.

The committee's inquiry is expected to explore whether Sessions' DOJ took any steps to revisit Epstein's 2008 plea deal, which has been widely criticized for its leniency and secrecy. That agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges despite credible allegations of sex trafficking involving underage girls.

Next Steps

Sessions is scheduled to appear for a closed-door deposition later this month. The committee has not ruled out public hearings, and additional subpoenas may follow depending on the testimony received. The Department of Justice has also been ordered to produce all relevant records by August 19, 2025.

As the investigation unfolds, lawmakers say they hope to uncover systemic failures and propose reforms to prevent similar abuses in the future. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on those who held power during key moments in Epstein's legal saga-including Jeff Sessions.