Reps. Khanna and Massie Threaten Bondi with Contempt

By John Pranay (Editor)

Two US lawmakers, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), are threatening to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt over the incomplete release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The lawmakers claim that the December disclosure by the Justice Department is excessively redacted and missing significant documents mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This development has sparked a back-and-forth between the lawmakers and the Justice Department, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche downplaying the threats of contempt.

The controversy began when Reps. Khanna and Massie co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which aimed to force the release of documents related to the Epstein case. However, the initial release by the Justice Department was met with criticism from the lawmakers, who claimed that it was incomplete and heavily redacted. The Justice Department defended its actions, stating that it had released the material required by the statute. The situation escalated when the Justice Department re-uploaded a photo of a desk with President Trump's photo, which had been removed earlier.

• December 21, 2025: Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie announce their intention to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt over the incomplete release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

• December 20, 2025: The Justice Department releases a trove of documents related to the Epstein case, but they are heavily redacted and missing significant information.

• December 19, 2025: Reps. Khanna and Massie co-sponsor the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which aims to force the release of documents related to the Epstein case.

• December 18, 2025: The Justice Department announces its intention to release documents related to the Epstein case, but it is unclear how much information will be released.

The incomplete release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked concerns about the transparency and accountability of the Justice Department. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of Attorney General Pam Bondi and her handling of the case. The situation has the potential to impact the public's trust in the government and the justice system.

The situation has several escalation risks, including:

• Regulatory risks: The Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case has raised concerns about its compliance with the law and its transparency.

• Financial risks: The lawmakers' threat to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt could result in daily fines against her.

• Physical risks: The situation has the potential to escalate into a confrontation between the lawmakers and the Justice Department.

This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between transparency and secrecy in the US government. The Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case has raised concerns about its accountability and compliance with the law. The lawmakers' threat to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt is a rare move that could have significant consequences. However, it also raises questions about the effectiveness of this approach in achieving transparency and accountability. This suggests that the US government needs to rethink its approach to transparency and accountability, and consider more robust measures to ensure that the public has access to information.

Overall, the medium-term sentiment around this story is Neutral.

1. Lawmakers threaten Attorney General Bondi with contempt over incomplete Epstein files — https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2025-12-21/lawmakers-threaten-attorney-general-bondi-with-contempt-over-incomplete-epstein-files

2. Massie and Khanna preparing to bring 'inherent contempt' against Bondi over Epstein files — https://justthenews.com/government/congress/massie-and-khanna-preparing-bring-inherent-contempt-against-bondi-over-epstein

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.