Washington, D.C. , 23 December (H.S.): Bipartisan frustration erupted in Congress on Monday as lawmakers threatened rare inherent contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi for the Justice Department's incomplete release of Jeffrey Epstein files by the statutory deadline of Friday, December 19.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, co-sponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Donald Trump on November 19, decried the partial disclosure as a violation of both the letter and spirit of the law, which mandated full public access to unclassified records from federal investigations into the late sex offender.
The trove encompasses over a million pages, including FBI witness interviews, seized emails, a 60-count draft indictment, and an 82-page prosecution memo, though significant redactions and withholdings—primarily to protect over 1,200 victims—prompted the backlash.
Massie and Khanna Forge Bipartisan Push for Accountability
Massie, appearing on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, December 21, accused the DOJ of flouting obligations and proposed inherent contempt—a congressional power unused for nearly a century that bypasses courts and could fine Bondi daily until compliance.
Khanna, his Democratic counterpart, detailed plans for a House resolution imposing such penalties after a potential 30-day grace period, emphasizing a growing bipartisan coalition to ensure justice for survivors whom he called the partial release a slap in the face.
Unlike impeachment, this mechanism requires only House approval, sidestepping Senate hurdles, and targets Bondi's personal accountability amid claims of excessive redactions in the initial 550 fully blacked-out pages among thousands disclosed.
Schumer's Senate Resolution Targets Trump DOJ
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Monday his intent to introduce a resolution upon the chamber's January 5 reconvening, directing legal action against the DOJ for withholding crucial evidence despite the bipartisan law's unequivocal mandate.
Schumer appealed to Republicans, noting the legislation's near-unanimous passage, and lambasted the administration for prioritizing redactions over transparency on Epstein's networks, non-prosecution decisions, and high-profile associates.
While Democratic Senator Tim Kaine deemed contempt premature on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, preferring appropriations leverage, the moves signal escalating pressure across aisles.
DOJ Defends Phased Rollout Amid Victim Safeguards
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed threats on NBC Sunday as unserious, asserting compliance through a meticulous review by hundreds of lawyers protecting victim identities in voluminous materials exceeding 300 gigabytes.
The DOJ removed over a dozen initial photos—including one featuring President Trump—due to victim concerns before reinstating the Trump image after review, promising further batches in coming weeks without fixed penalties in the law for delays.
Bondi has touted her tenure as part of the most transparent administration in history, though survivors and advocates remain unsatisfied with the staggered approach.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
