Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) suggested this week that holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt remains an option as Congress presses the Justice Department over its handling of the long-awaited Epstein files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Massie, who helped author legislation requiring the release of government records tied to convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein, said lawmakers are still not receiving full access to unredacted documents \u2014 despite the deadline set by Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Appearing Tuesday on CNN\u2019s The Source<\/em> with Kaitlan Collins, Massie accused the Justice Department of failing to deliver what the law requires and raised concerns that redactions appear inconsistent and unjustified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have not had access to totally unredacted files,\u201d Massie said, adding that names such as Epstein associate and former Victoria\u2019s Secret CEO Leslie Wexner have been blacked out \u201cfor no apparent reason.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Massie said the DOJ\u2019s refusal to acknowledge gaps in its production makes it difficult for Congress \u2014 and the public \u2014 to trust that the full truth is being released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf they\u2019ll admit that they\u2019re making mistakes and that their document production is not done, I could trust them,\u201d Massie said. \u201cBut I can\u2019t trust them if they say\u2026 this is it, there\u2019s no more.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Kentucky Republican noted he would have limited time to question Bondi when she appeared Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, warning that stronger measures could follow if answers are not forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Massie first raised the possibility of using Congress\u2019s \u201cinherent contempt\u201d powers against Bondi in a weekend interview, calling it the most direct way to force compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe quickest way\u2026 to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Still, Massie acknowledged the challenge of pursuing contempt charges against the nation\u2019s top law enforcement official, noting that referrals often run through the same department under scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know, it\u2019s hard to refer a contempt charge\u2026 on an attorney general to the attorney general,\u201d Massie said. \u201cThis is the problem that you run into.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Instead, he suggested Congress may need to compel testimony from individuals named in the documents, similar to efforts already underway by the House Oversight Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bondi\u2019s appearance on Wednesday quickly turned tense as Democrats confronted her over the Justice Department\u2019s redaction process \u2014 particularly allegations that some victims\u2019 identities were improperly exposed while other information, including references to powerful individuals, was withheld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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