The House Oversight Committee significantly expanded its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network on Tuesday, issuing subpoenas to 10 high-profile individuals from four presidential administrations. However, former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, the federal prosecutor behind Epstein’s 2008 “sweetheart deal,” was not on the list.
“Chairman Comer has now issued the subpoenas,” a committee spokesman told the Daily Caller, noting that the move followed a bipartisan voice vote on the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, authorizing Rep. Scott Perry’s motion.
Who Was Subpoenaed?
According to Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the following individuals have been compelled to appear for depositions:
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Former President Bill Clinton – Oct. 14
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – Oct. 9
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Former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller
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Former Attorneys General:
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Loretta Lynch
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Eric Holder
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William Barr
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Jeff Sessions
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Merrick Garland
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Alberto Gonzales
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The committee also issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for records related to Epstein’s case, with a deadline of August 19.
Acosta’s Notable Absence
Despite his central role in Epstein’s early legal escape, Alex Acosta has not yet been subpoenaed. As U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Acosta approved a controversial 2008 plea deal that allowed Epstein to:
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Avoid federal prosecution
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Plead guilty to two state-level prostitution charges
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Serve only 13 months in county jail with work-release privileges
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Keep the deal secret from Epstein’s victims
A 2017 federal judge ruled the deal violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act by excluding and deceiving those impacted.
Why Acosta Isn’t Subpoenaed
The committee says subpoenaing Acosta is not “straightforward,” hinting at procedural or jurisdictional challenges.
Acosta’s actions are already well-documented, and he resigned as Trump’s Labor Secretary in 2019 after public outrage reignited over his handling of the Epstein case.
A Miami Herald investigation found that Acosta and his team “bent over backwards” to accommodate Epstein during plea negotiations — even meeting with Epstein’s attorney Jay Lefkowitz at a Marriott hotel in West Palm Beach, far from official government offices.
Bush-Era AG Overlap Adds Complexity
One of the officials who was subpoenaed, Alberto Gonzales, served as Attorney General from 2005 to 2007, overlapping with Acosta’s tenure as U.S. Attorney. The committee is likely to question Gonzales about what — if anything — Main Justice knew or approved regarding Epstein’s non-prosecution agreement.
Michael Mukasey, who succeeded Gonzales as AG in late 2007, was not subpoenaed.
Acosta Defended Himself in 2019
During a 2019 press conference, Acosta defended his decision, insisting that the plea deal strengthened the case rather than weakened it.
“We believe we got the best outcome possible,” Acosta said at the time.
But critics across party lines continue to view the deal as a miscarriage of justice — and many expected him to be a central witness in the renewed probe.
