Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie say they're considering inherent contempt charges against Pam Bondi
Massie said inherent contempt was a way for Congress to press for the remaining Epstein files.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Yahoo News, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
NBC News is an established national newsroom with named reporting and editorial standards. The article is identified as originally published by NBC News, so its reporting—not Yahoo’s—is the basis for this assessment.
- Source type — Established national news organization with a substantial reporting operation.
- Author attribution — The reporting is attributed to NBC News.
- Editorial standards — A recognized newsroom with editorial processes, though no article-specific standards are stated here.
- Transparency — The page identifies NBC News as the original publisher.
The report includes remarks from lawmakers on differing approaches and a response from the Justice Department explaining the redaction process. It gives useful context about the deadline and release, though it offers limited independent detail about the documents or the legal basis for contempt.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents the lawmakers’ proposals, Kaine’s preference for other congressional tools, and the Justice Department’s explanation for the delay. It does not independently assess whether the department’s actions comply with the law.
- Source diversity — Includes statements from members of both parties and a Justice Department official.
- Counterarguments presented — Kaine favors other tools, while Blanche says the department is complying and protecting victims.
- Omitted context — The report does not independently examine the legal arguments over compliance or contempt.
The report uses neutral language and attributes competing views to the lawmakers and Justice Department officials who expressed them.
- Language tone — The narrative is straightforward and avoids loaded characterization.
- Source selection — It includes lawmakers advocating different approaches and a Justice Department response.
- Framing — The article reports the disagreement without adopting either side’s claims.
Republished with credit
Republished from NBC News, with credit to the original publisher.
360 stories · 84.9–85.2 · updated Oct 12, 2026
This is NBC News's own score, and this article is credited to NBC News. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie said Sunday they are discussing inherent contempt against Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s incomplete release of Epstein files. Sen. Tim Kaine called impeachment discussions premature and pointed to other ways Congress could press for compliance.
Khanna and Massie said they were speaking with members of Congress about holding Bondi in contempt after the Justice Department released thousands of files on Friday but not all the documents they expected. The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the administration to release unclassified Epstein files by Dec. 19. Khanna also said lawmakers were discussing impeachment and possible prosecution of officials who obstructed justice.
Community verdict
12 VOTESCounts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 35
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SWIPE →Representative advocating inherent contempt against the attorney general
Representative discussing inherent contempt and possible impeachment of Justice Department officials
Khanna's version of this story ↗Attorney general whom Khanna and Massie said they were considering holding in contempt
Deputy attorney general defending the Justice Department’s handling of the files
Defense secretary mentioned in connection with a potential travel-budget restriction
Senator urging other congressional tools rather than contempt or impeachment
Part of a bigger story
29 OUTLETSThe Justice Department released only part of the Epstein files by the deadline, with many records redacted. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna criticized the release and said they were considering or preparing congressional action against Attorney General Pam Bondi. Left-leaning outlets emphasize the bipartisan accountability push, including possible impeachment. Center outlets focus on proposed contempt procedures and often include the department’s defense or alternative approaches from lawmakers. Right-leaning outlets also stress the push for fuller disclosure and possible action against Bondi, with some including the department’s defense.
- ARTICLES
- 35
- OUTLETS
- 29
- AVG CRED
- 62
- International Business Times · GOP Rep. Massie Says DOJ Broke The Law By Making 'Illegal Redaction' Of Epstein Files
- ZeroHedge · Stunner: DOJ Finds A Million More Epstein Documents - Will Take 'Weeks' To Review
- Cbc · Authorities were hot on the trail of Epstein's co-conspirators. Why weren't they named in the document dump?
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