The Epstein files continue to create negative headlines for the Trump administration, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is now defying an order to release the Epstein files in their entirety.
The DOJ announced last week that it would be releasing the files in chunks, as it continues to work its way through them to redact victims’ names.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is not buying the rationale for the delay, and he is now leading an effort to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.
U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, a Bill Clinton appointee, ruled that the DOJ was required to release all the files related to the Epstein case.
Something of note is that Berman was the presiding judge in the case against Epstein in New York, which was dropped after the billionaire's death.
During the 2024 election cycle, Trump stated that the files would be released, but he changed his tune after taking office, insisting that the controversy was all a Democrat-led hoax.
Once Trump took that direction, Democrats pounded the issue harder, insisting that he was protecting himself or his allies by keeping the files sealed.
This issue has really taken on a life of its own, not only creating a problem with Democrats but also with some MAGA loyalists who have been waiting for these files to be released for years.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is now defending the move to slow-drip the records, stating, “The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that to protect victims.”
He continued, “So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently don’t want us to protect victims.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) claims otherwise, stating, “It’s all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public, either about himself, other members of his family, friends, Jeffrey Epstein, or just the social, business, cultural network that he was involved in for at least a decade, if not longer.”
Rep. Massie teamed up with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) to have the files released, and both of them have been leaning into the idea that these files were going to be a bombshell in DC. Now, Massie is calling out Bondi over the delay, threatening contempt charges against her.
He stated, “They’re flouting the spirit and the letter of the law. It’s very troubling, the posture that they’ve taken. And I won’t be satisfied until the survivors are satisfied.”
Massie further stated, “…Todd Blanch is the face of this, but it’s really the attorney general’s office. It’s Pam Bondi, who is responsible. And there are several ways to get at this. Some take longer, some are shorter. The quickest way, and I think, most expeditious way to get justice for these victims, is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. And that doesn’t require going through the courts. Basically, Ro Khanna and I are talking about and drafting that right now.”
The congressman continues to be a problem for this administration, as he will not back off getting these files released, and he has been fighting Trump on just about every piece of legislation presented that the president is supporting. The more success he has, the more likely we are to see additional resistance against Trump in Congress. I don’t want to say that Trump is losing his grip just yet, but it has clearly weakened. It’s nothing to panic over just yet, but if I were Trump, I would be making some calls and hosting some dinners immediately to get everyone back on my side.
