Bipartisan Duo Threatens Attorney General Bondi with 'Inherent Contempt' Over Epstein Files

WASHINGTON D.C. – In a rare display of cross-party unity, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna are threatening to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in “inherent contempt of Congress.” The move is a significant escalation in the dispute over the Justice Department's failure to release the complete files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

According to NBC News, the two congressmen appeared on Sunday talk shows to advocate for the use of the rarely invoked power. They argue that if Bondi continues to withhold the documents, Congress should bypass the courts and directly impose daily fines on her until she complies. “This isn't a partisan issue; it's about the oversight responsibility of Congress,” the pair stated, according to reports.

The threat underscores a growing tension between the legislative and executive branches over access to sensitive information. The fact that Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican, and Khanna, a progressive Democrat, have found common ground on this issue highlights the perceived gravity of the department's refusal to cooperate fully.

The Justice Department has so far provided only a limited set of documents, citing ongoing investigations and other sensitivities. However, Massie and Khanna insist that transparency is paramount for government accountability and for understanding the full scope of the Epstein scandal.

The Department of Justice has not yet issued a formal response to the latest threats. The standoff could set the stage for a major constitutional clash over the separation of powers and may force further revelations from one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent U.S. history.

PRISM Insight

The resurfacing of the 'inherent contempt' threat is more than just political theater; it’s a symptom of institutional friction in an era of deep polarization. It demonstrates that when Congress perceives its fundamental authority to be challenged by the executive branch, it can create temporary, issue-specific alliances that transcend ideology. As executive control over sensitive information tightens, we can expect the legislature to increasingly dust off these powerful, near-forgotten tools to reassert its role, potentially leading to more direct confrontations between the branches of government.