House Oversight letters requesting transcribed interviews in the Epstein investigation
Congressional

Doug Band and Bill Gates Interview Requests in Epstein Probe (2026)

Epstein's Inbox15 min read

A new search cluster formed in early March 2026 around "Doug Band Epstein interview" and "Bill Gates Epstein interview Congress" after the House Oversight Committee published letters requesting seven transcribed interviews tied to its Epstein and Maxwell investigation.

TL;DR: On March 3, 2026, House Oversight released interview-request letters to Doug Band, Bill Gates, Leon Black, Lesley Groff, Sarah Kellen, Kathryn Ruemmler, and Ted Waitt. The letters set specific requested dates from April 16 through June 9, 2026 and cite committee oversight authority while stating recipients may have information relevant to the federal investigation record.

What was announced on March 3, 2026

Chairman James Comer announced the seven requests in a public committee release and linked each letter. The release frames the interviews as part of oversight into alleged federal-investigation mismanagement, Epstein's death-related inquiries, and broader trafficking-network questions.

  • Ted Waitt: requested April 16, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Kathryn Ruemmler: requested April 21, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Doug Band: requested May 5, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Leon Black: requested May 13, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Bill Gates: requested May 19, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Sarah Kellen: requested June 3, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • Lesley Groff: requested June 9, 2026 interview at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Graphic showing scheduled interview windows from House Oversight letters
Publicly posted House Oversight letters dated March 3, 2026 set requested interview dates from April through June.

Why this is a distinct development

This update is separate from prior DOJ bulk releases. These are congressional interview requests in a live oversight track. The primary documents are one-page letters published by the committee, each naming a requested date and repeating the same investigative scope language.

Important legal context: appearance in letters, files, flight logs, or media reports does not itself establish criminal liability. Allegations are not adjudicated facts, and all persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

How the requests fit the wider March 2026 timeline

Major outlets reported the same week that the Oversight Committee also voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi over DOJ file handling. Together, the interview requests and subpoena vote show Congress trying to collect testimony while pressing agencies for disclosure explanations.

  • March 3, 2026: Oversight release and seven interview letters posted.
  • March 4-5, 2026: AP and CBS report expanded committee pressure and scheduling details.
  • Next checkpoints: whether requested witnesses appear voluntarily and whether transcripts are released.

Read the archive section for hearings, letters, and subpoenas tied to congressional activity.

Open Congressional Records

Track this sequence against prior releases, depositions, and DOJ actions in one chronology.

View Full Timeline

What to watch next

Watch for attendance confirmations, transcript publication decisions, and any follow-on document demands tied to interview testimony. For accuracy, prioritize primary letters and dated committee releases, then use AP and CBS coverage for procedural context.

Explore Archive Hubs

Sources & References

  1. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Chairman Comer Seeks Seven Transcribed Interviews as Part of Epstein Investigation (Mar. 3, 2026)
  2. Oversight letter: Douglas J. Band transcribed interview request (Mar. 3, 2026)
  3. Oversight letter: William H. Gates III transcribed interview request (Mar. 3, 2026)
  4. Oversight letter: Kathryn H. Ruemmler transcribed interview request (Mar. 3, 2026)
  5. AP News: House committee votes to subpoena Attorney General Bondi over Epstein files (Mar. 4, 2026)
  6. CBS News: Bill Gates among 7 asked to testify before House committee on possible Epstein ties (Mar. 4, 2026)
  7. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Chairman Comer Announces Secretary Lutnick to Appear Voluntarily for a Transcribed Interview (Mar. 3, 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Congress subpoena Doug Band or Bill Gates in March 2026?

The March 3, 2026 committee documents are interview-request letters, not subpoena documents. Each letter asks for a voluntary in-person transcribed interview on a specified date.

What dates were requested for the House Oversight Epstein interviews?

The posted letters request interviews from April 16 through June 9, 2026, including May 5 for Doug Band and May 19 for Bill Gates. Dates are stated directly in the committee PDFs.

Does being named in an interview letter prove wrongdoing?

No. Committee interview requests indicate potential relevance to an investigation but do not determine criminal liability. All persons are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.

Where can readers verify these interview requests?

Use the March 3, 2026 House Oversight press release and linked letter PDFs as primary sources, then compare with AP and CBS reporting for procedural updates. This summary relies on dated public records and source-linked reporting.

Disclaimer: All information in this article is sourced from publicly available court records, government FOIA releases, and credible news reporting. This is informational content. Inclusion or mention of any individual does not imply wrongdoing. All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.