A bipartisan coalition of U.S. lawmakers is preparing unprecedented legal action against Attorney General Pam Bondi following the Justice Department’s partial release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna are jointly drafting inherent contempt proceedings—a rare congressional power unused for nearly a century—against the nation’s top law enforcement official.
The controversy stems from the Justice Department’s Friday release deadline mandated by legislation signed by President Trump in November. Despite high public anticipation, the department published only a fraction of the estimated one million documents, with significant redactions and withheld materials. The released trove includes visual materials, cassettes, and references to high-profile figures, though many files were subsequently withdrawn due to victim privacy concerns before selective reinstatement.
Massie condemned the Justice Department’s actions as ‘flouting both the spirit and letter of the law’ during his appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation. He emphasized that inherent contempt proceedings would bypass lengthy court processes by directly imposing daily fines on Bondi until full compliance is achieved. This approach requires only House of Representatives approval, unlike impeachment which demands broader congressional support.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche remained defiant in response, stating on NBC’s Meet the Press that the department fully complies with statutory requirements while managing massive volumes of victim-sensitive documents. He dismissed congressional threats as inconsequential, emphasizing the ongoing nature of document releases throughout coming weeks.
The political confrontation highlights deepening tensions between the legislative and executive branches regarding transparency in one of the most sensitive investigations in recent history. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine urged caution, suggesting appropriations bills as alternative pressure tools before pursuing contempt measures.