Lawmakers threaten Attorney General Bondi with contempt over incomplete Epstein files
Khanna said he and Thomas Massie were drafting a possible inherent-contempt action over the release of Epstein files.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Aspen Public Radio, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
The article is NPR reporting republished by a public radio outlet, and it attributes claims to named officials and lawmakers. NPR has established editorial standards and a strong record of original reporting.
- Source type — The reporting is attributed to NPR, an established national news organization.
- Editorial standards — The story presents named sources from Congress and the Justice Department and attributes their claims.
- Author attribution — A named reporter is credited.
- Transparency — The page identifies the article as NPR material through its copyright notice.
The story includes attributed statements from lawmakers of both parties and the Justice Department, along with concrete details about the document releases. It offers limited independent legal context and does not include victims’ or outside experts’ perspectives.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article gives space to lawmakers demanding fuller disclosure and to the Justice Department’s explanation of its review and redactions. It provides limited outside context on the law and does not include affected victims’ views.
- Counterarguments presented — The Justice Department’s defense of the release appears alongside lawmakers’ criticism.
- Source diversity — Sources include members of both parties and a senior Justice Department official.
- Omitted context — The article provides little independent analysis of the statute or the victims’ perspectives.
The report uses neutral language and attributes competing claims about the release and the threatened sanction to the people making them.
- Language tone — The narration is descriptive rather than evaluative.
- Source selection — The story includes lawmakers from both parties and a Justice Department response.
- Framing — It reports the dispute without endorsing either side’s account.
Republished with credit
Republished from NPR, with credit to the original publisher.
119 stories · 88–89 · updated Oct 12, 2026
This is NPR's own score, and this article is credited to NPR. The host score in the Source Check is Aspen Public Radio's.
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie say they are drafting an inherent-contempt action against Attorney General Pam Bondi over what they describe as an incomplete, heavily redacted release of Epstein files. The Justice Department says it is complying with the law and reviewing remaining documents to protect victims.
Khanna and Massie, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said the released files had too many redactions and missing information. Massie said they were discussing and drafting an inherent-contempt action against Bondi; Khanna said the House could impose a fine without Senate approval and expected bipartisan support. The article explains that inherent contempt can be used to fine or arrest officers obstructing congressional functions.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the partial release, saying it met the statute’s requirements and that lawyers were reviewing the remaining documents to protect victims. The Justice Department temporarily removed and later reposted a photograph that included President Trump, explaining that it had reviewed concerns about whether victims appeared in it. The department also posted a revised transcript of grand jury proceedings in the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, whose original version had been entirely redacted.
Community verdict
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SWIPE →Representative discussing and drafting an inherent-contempt action against Attorney General Pam Bondi
Representative discussing and drafting an inherent-contempt action against Attorney General Pam Bondi
Massie's version of this story ↗Attorney General targeted by the proposed inherent-contempt action
Deputy Attorney General defending the Justice Department’s release and review of the files
President whose image appeared in a photograph temporarily removed from the files
Senator urging the Justice Department to release all information
Part of a bigger story
30 OUTLETSThe Justice Department released Epstein-related records in a partial, heavily redacted batch. Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie said they were preparing or considering inherent-contempt action against Attorney General Pam Bondi over the release. Left-leaning outlets frame Khanna’s push as accountability for redactions and omissions, with some questioning whether powerful people are being protected. Center outlets detail proposed congressional remedies and competing claims about legal compliance. Right-leaning outlets also stress the bipartisan push for fuller disclosure, often alongside the department’s defense.
- ARTICLES
- 39
- OUTLETS
- 30
- AVG CRED
- 63
- Cbc · Authorities were hot on the trail of Epstein's co-conspirators. Why weren't they named in the document dump?
- Daily Mail · Epstein docs bombshell exposes 10 possible coconspirators
- The Independent · Epstein survivors blast 'unacceptable' partial release of files as Congress members weigh legal options over DOJ's missed deadline
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