A significant bipartisan effort is underway in the United States Congress to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress. This dramatic move follows her office's failure to fully release a cache of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case by a legally mandated deadline.
Bipartisan Fury Over Partial Disclosure
The controversy centres on the release of files connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna are jointly spearheading the effort, announcing they are drafting "inherent contempt" charges against Attorney General Bondi.
This action was triggered because Bondi's office only provided a partial set of the Epstein files by the congressionally imposed deadline of Thursday, 19 December 2025. The lawmakers assert this selective disclosure constitutes a direct defiance of the law.
Potential Consequences and Official Defence
Should the House of Representatives pass the contempt measure, the consequences for the Attorney General would be severe. The proposed charges could see Bondi face daily financial penalties until the remaining documents are surrendered in full. Reports suggest a 30-day grace period might be applied before such fines commence.
The Department of Justice, represented by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, has defended its actions. The department insists it is complying with the requirement but states the files are being released in batches. This staggered approach, they argue, is necessary to apply redactions protecting the identities of survivors, to respect ongoing litigation, and to safeguard national security interests.
Mounting Political and Legal Pressure
This defence has done little to placate the bipartisan group of lawmakers. Representative Ro Khanna has been particularly vocal, labelling the partial release a "slap in the face" to Epstein's survivors who have long sought transparency. The political pressure is not confined to the House.
In a parallel development, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated he plans to initiate separate legal action against the Department of Justice over the same issue. This signals a deepening conflict between the legislative and executive branches regarding accountability and public access to information in one of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent years.
The unfolding situation places Attorney General Bondi in a precarious position, caught between congressional demands for full disclosure and her department's procedural and legal justifications for a more cautious approach.
