Representative Thomas Massie is threatening Attorney General Pam Bondi with contempt charges over her alleged failure to comply with a law demanding full transparency on Jeffrey Epstein files, marking a rare bipartisan stand against government stonewalling that should alarm every American concerned about accountability and the rule of law.
Story Snapshot
- Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna accuse AG Pam Bondi of egregiously violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act
- The bipartisan lawmakers are considering inherent contempt charges if DOJ compliance does not improve
- DOJ has allegedly missed statutory deadlines, applied excessive redactions, and illegally withheld internal communications
- Representatives requested appointment of a Special Master to compel document release from the Justice Department
Bipartisan Lawmakers Challenge DOJ Obstruction
Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, the bipartisan architects behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act, have formally accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of violating federal law. The lawmakers assert that the Department of Justice has failed to meet mandatory disclosure requirements under Public Law 119-38, which Congress passed to ensure complete transparency regarding documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities. Massie explicitly stated that Bondi is “egregiously violating the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” citing multiple compliance failures that undermine congressional authority and the public’s right to know what government agencies knew about Epstein’s network.
Specific Violations Alleged Against Justice Department
The representatives detailed three primary violations in their formal request for intervention. First, the DOJ has repeatedly missed statutory deadlines established by the Act, demonstrating what the lawmakers characterize as deliberate foot-dragging. Second, documents that have been released contain excessive redactions that obscure critical information the law intended to make public. Third, and perhaps most troubling, the Justice Department has illegally withheld internal communications that would reveal decision-making processes regarding the Epstein investigation. These violations collectively suggest a pattern of obstruction that prevents Americans from understanding the full scope of government knowledge and potential complicity regarding Epstein’s operations and connections.
Special Master Request Reveals Deep Mistrust
Rather than pursuing contempt charges immediately, Massie and Khanna have requested the appointment of a Special Master to compel document release. Their joint statement declares that “the DOJ cannot be trusted with making mandatory disclosures under the Act,” a damning assessment of the nation’s chief law enforcement agency. This extraordinary measure reflects the representatives’ conclusion that normal oversight mechanisms have failed. A Special Master would operate independently of DOJ control to ensure compliance with the transparency law. The request demonstrates how far the Justice Department’s credibility has fallen when bipartisan lawmakers from opposite ends of the political spectrum unite in demanding external oversight of basic legal compliance.
Contempt Threat Looms Over Attorney General
While the immediate action involves requesting a Special Master, the prospect of contempt charges remains on the table if Bondi continues to obstruct transparency efforts. Contempt of Congress represents a serious escalation that could result in legal consequences for the Attorney General. For conservatives frustrated with government secrecy and the appearance of protecting powerful interests, this bipartisan push for accountability offers hope that some lawmakers still prioritize truth over institutional protection. The Epstein files potentially contain information about powerful figures across government, business, and entertainment who may have participated in or enabled his criminal enterprise. Americans deserve complete transparency about what their government knew, when officials knew it, and why appropriate action may not have been taken to protect victims sooner.
Sources:
Reps. Khanna and Massie Call for Appointment of Special Master to Compel Department
