Bipartisan pair threatens Bondi with contempt over Epstein files

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) don't agree on much. They do agree that Attorney General Pam Bondi should face consequences for the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files.

According to NBC News, the bipartisan pair appeared on Sunday talk shows to discuss "inherent contempt" — a rarely used mechanism that would allow Congress to fine Bondi for every day she fails to release the complete documents. "The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims, is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi," Massie told CBS's Face the Nation.

The two lawmakers co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein files within 30 days. That deadline was Friday. The department released thousands of documents, but not everything the law required, and what it did release was heavily redacted.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who appeared on Meet the Press, dismissed the contempt threats entirely. "Not even a little bit," he said when asked if he takes them seriously. "Bring it on."

Blanche said the department was going through a "methodical process with hundreds of lawyers" to protect victim information. Massie pointed to a provision in the law that would allow future administrations to prosecute current DOJ officials who don't comply.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) urged caution on impeachment talk but noted Congress has other tools, including appropriations provisions that could limit officials' travel budgets if they don't cooperate.

Previously:
• AG Pam Bondi took just 217 minutes to act on Trump's demand to investigate Democrats