Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) gave more insight into his and Rep. Thomas Massie‘s (R-KY) threats of inherent contempt against Attorney General Pam Bondi for the full release of the Epstein files.
“The idea would be that she’d get a 30-day grace period — by the way, she’s already in violation of the law — 30-day grace period to get the documents out,” Khanna said on Monday. “It would be a fine of up to $5,000 each day she doesn’t get these documents out.”
Khanna and Massie, who cosponsored the recently signed Epstein Files Transparency Act, criticized the Department of Justice’s implementation of the act, saying they are not satisfied with the way the DOJ has begun rolling out the files. With many redactions and several documents removed from the DOJ’s newly published “Epstein Library” by Saturday evening, about 24 hours after the rollout began, Massie said the DOJ was “flouting” the spirit and intent of the act.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has remained steadfast that the DOJ is complying with the law “in every way, shape, and form.” He said the documents were removed in order to comply with a court order mandating the DOJ listen to victims or victims’ rights groups who have concerns with the published materials. But Massie and Khanna are likewise remaining steadfast in their threats to bring inherent contempt against Bondi to ensure full compliance with the law.
Khanna said in the interview on MS Now on Monday morning that Bondi was “already in violation” of the law, referring to the grace period of 30 days after the act was signed into law for the DOJ to release all the Epstein files. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Nov. 19, but the DOJ has ensured that Friday’s release of files was the first wave of a series of rollouts that will occur over the next few weeks.
Khanna said that the possible inherent contempt move has bipartisan support, saying, “There are a few Republicans who are on board with it.”
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“My goal is not to destroy Pam Bondi. I didn’t know who Pam Bondi was. I’ve gotten to know these survivors, and my goal is that, on a personal level, these documents need to come out. Lives were traumatized. They want these documents out, and whatever we can do to get the documents out,” Khanna said.
Massie told CBS on Sunday that he and Khanna are discussing and drafting a plan to use the congressional contempt powers in the Epstein files case.