Two lawmakers seek to find Bondi in contempt over EPSTEIN files

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 -In a rapidly escalating confrontation, bipartisan lawmakers Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are moving to hold U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. 

The dispute centers on a recently enacted transparency law that required the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein-related records within 30 days. That deadline has passed, and lawmakers argue that what has been released so far—though extensive—remains incomplete and overly redacted.

Khanna and Massie say the partial disclosure undermines the intent of the law and denies accountability in a case with global implications. They are now drafting an inherent contempt resolution that could authorize penalties if the remaining documents are not produced promptly. 

The proposal would also allow congressional review of the redactions to determine whether they are legally justified. Frustration over the delays has spread across party lines, with additional lawmakers publicly questioning the DOJ’s compliance.

The Justice Department maintains that it is following the law while prioritizing the protection of victims and sensitive information. Still, the controversy is intensifying, with the possibility of formal sanctions and broader legal action looming. 

As pressure mounts from Congress, advocates, and the public, the standoff is becoming a defining test of government transparency, oversight authority, and whether Washington will follow through on demands for full disclosure.