Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said Attorney General Pam Bondi could be “held in inherent contempt of Congress” or be “subject to impeachment” if files related to Jeffrey Epstein are not released by this week’s deadline.
Why It Matters
A looming release of documents tied to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—required by a bipartisan law signed by President Donald Trump—has reignited arguments over transparency in high-profile federal investigations.
Bondi is responsible for overseeing the disclosure, drawing attention from both parties amid concerns that political pressures or active investigations could delay or limit what is made public. The broad congressional support behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act underscores intense public and legislative demand for a fuller accounting of Epstein’s network and activities.
What To Know
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed with near-unanimous bipartisan votes in both chambers, requires the release of all files on Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell—including travel records and communications—by December 19, 2025. The law permits redactions to protect victims’ identities and to avoid compromising ongoing federal investigations.
As the deadline neared, House Democrats released a new batch of 68 images from Epstein’s estate showing a range of well-known figures, including Noam Chomsky, Steve Bannon, and Bill Gates, among others. The House Oversight Committee has obtained thousands of images tied to the case; the newly revealed material includes photographs, site plans for Epstein’s Caribbean property, and redacted personal documents. There is no indication of wrongdoing by people shown in the images.
Khanna’s Warning
In a video posted to X, Khanna emphasized the Friday midnight deadline and argued that court orders and the new law require compliance.
“Three federal judges have ordered the release of all of these files in Maxwell and Epstein’s grand jury,” Khanna said, adding that any Justice Department official who does not comply would face serious consequences. He said Bondi could be held in inherent contempt of Congress or face impeachment if the DOJ fails to meet the deadline.
Massie: “There Are Penalties”
In a separate, lengthy video post on X, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie suggested attempts to stall the release would not ultimately prevent accountability. He argued that even if officials tried to “run the clock out” until the end of the current Congress, a future attorney general could still pursue action against a former attorney general. Massie also said there are penalties if Bondi does not comply.
What People Are Saying
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X on Wednesday: “Reminder that the Epstein Files are supposed to be released on Friday and every political development that you see between now until then should be viewed with that in mind.”
Khanna wrote on X on Thursday: “I have long said the contents of the Epstein Files will shock the conscience of our nation. The deadline to release the files is tomorrow, @AGPamBondi.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social, in part, when announcing he signed the bill in November: He said he asked congressional leaders to pass the bill and claimed the DOJ had already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. He also criticized the Biden administration for not turning over any related files.
What Happens Next
The Justice Department has until Friday, December 19, 2025, to publish the Epstein files.
Any disputes over redactions or withheld material could trigger additional congressional hearings or legal challenges. Congress returns from recess in January, when oversight activity and political debate over the completeness of the release could intensify.
