A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is moving to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress after her department failed to fully release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case by a legal deadline.
Bipartisan Push for "Inherent Contempt"
Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna announced on Sunday they are drafting an "inherent contempt" measure against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The move comes after the Department of Justice, under Bondi's leadership, released only a portion of the Epstein files by the statutory deadline of Friday, 19 December 2025.
The lawmakers co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the full disclosure. Massie stated on CBS's Face the Nation that while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is the public face of the issue, ultimate responsibility lies with Pam Bondi. He argued that pursuing inherent contempt is the quickest way to achieve justice for the victims.
The Department of Justice's Defence and Lawmaker Fury
The Department of Justice released hundreds of thousands of pages of heavily redacted documents last Friday. Officials argued that releasing the files in batches was necessary to protect survivors, safeguard national security, maintain the integrity of ongoing litigation, and omit explicit details of abuse. They promised more documents would follow in the coming weeks.
This partial release has sparked significant anger. Khanna labelled it a "slap in the face" to survivors, highlighting that one victim's name was accidentally disclosed while the identities of their abusers remain withheld. Massie criticised the DoJ's stance as a "very troubling posture."
What "Inherent Contempt" Would Mean
Inherent contempt is a rarely used congressional power that allows lawmakers to detain or punish individuals for obstructing investigations without going through the courts. In this case, Massie and Khanna's measure, which would only need to pass in the House of Representatives, proposes to fine Attorney General Bondi for each day the full Epstein files remain unreleased. Khanna indicated they would likely grant a 30-day grace period before fines begin.
However, support in the House is not guaranteed. In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would introduce a resolution for legal action against the DoJ, while Senator Tim Kaine suggested any punishment was "premature." Deputy AG Blanche has dismissed the threats, insisting the department is doing everything required to comply with the law.
The situation creates a significant constitutional clash between the legislative and executive branches, centred on transparency and accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent history.
