Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, have voiced their determination to hold Justice Department officials accountable for their failure to release all pertinent files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the deadline set for Friday. They are currently discussing with fellow Congress members the potential of holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.
During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Massie stated, “The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.” This comment followed their frustrations regarding the release of Epstein documents, which fell short of expectations.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, weighed in on the situation during NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” describing the calls for impeachment of Justice Department officials as “premature.” He highlighted alternative congressional mechanisms to encourage the Trump administration to comply with information requests. Kaine specifically mentioned provisions within defense funding legislation that could restrict travel budgets for high-ranking officials if necessary information is not released.
Last month, Khanna and Massie spearheaded the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the Trump administration to release all unclassified documents related to Epstein by December 19. Although the Justice Department released thousands of files on Friday, the outcome was met with criticism from both sides of Congress due to the incomplete nature of the release.
Khanna noted, “Congress is talking about possible impeachment. They’re talking about inherent contempt for the attorney general or deputy attorney general.” He also warned, “Any Justice Department official who has obstructed justice could face prosecution in this administration or a future administration.”
In response to Kaine’s stance, Khanna defended the concept of inherent contempt, stating that the House alone could initiate such proceedings, while emphasizing their bipartisan coalition efforts to address the situation swiftly.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking on “Meet the Press,” assured that all applicable files would be released but emphasized the thorough process required to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims, noting that hundreds of lawyers are involved in the review and redaction process. He dismissed the impeachment threats from Khanna and Massie, confidently stating, “Bring it on,” and reaffirmed that the department is executing its responsibilities to comply with the Transparency Act.
While Massie did not explicitly call for impeachment, he pointed to a provision in the Epstein Files Transparency Act that would enable future administrations to prosecute current Justice Department officials who fail to meet compliance deadlines.
Additionally, Senator Kaine commented on released undated photographs of former President Bill Clinton included in the Epstein files, suggesting that Clinton “should address” any unresolved questions stemming from these images. A spokesperson for Clinton denied any wrongdoing or concealment of documents, insisting that the recent file release was not intended to protect him.
Blanche clarified that, currently, the Justice Department has no plans to file charges based on the information contained in the released documents, though he noted that new insights continue to emerge during the investigation.
This ongoing dialogue among lawmakers reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability concerning the complex issues surrounding Epstein, as they work to navigate this sensitive and high-profile matter.