Congressman Ro Khanna Denounces DOJ's Epstein Document Release as Inadequate
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, has sharply criticized the Department of Justice's recent release of millions of pages related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On Friday, the DOJ made public a substantial batch of documents, but Khanna declared this action "not good enough" to satisfy the legal mandates and the demands of survivors seeking full accountability.
Legal Mandate and Congressional Pressure
The release follows the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, which legally required the Trump administration to disclose all files associated with the Epstein case. This legislation, co-authored by Khanna, aimed to ensure complete transparency. However, the DOJ missed the initial deadline of December 19, 2025, prompting Khanna and Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, to threaten contempt charges and even impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for non-compliance.
During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Khanna expressed his disapproval to moderator Kristen Welker. He emphasized that while the DOJ's Friday release was significant—representing the largest document dump in history on this matter—it still falls short. "They've released at best half the documents," Khanna stated, highlighting that many powerful figures, including President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Bill Clinton, are referenced in the files. He clarified that mere mention does not imply wrongdoing but underscores the need for elite accountability.
Survivors' Concerns and Ongoing Demands
Khanna pointed out that survivors and their lawyers remain upset, not only because millions of files are still withheld but also due to accidental disclosures of survivors' names without proper redactions. "The survivors are still upset," he noted, adding that they demand the release of all remaining documents, including 302 forms and a prosecution memo from 2019. This has fueled backlash from Democrats and survivors alike, who accuse the DOJ of failing to adhere to legal requirements.
In contrast, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche argued that Friday's release brings the DOJ into compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, Khanna remains skeptical, calling the situation "frankly one of the largest scandals in my view in our country's history." He stressed that the documents reveal shocking details, with wealthy individuals, tech leaders, finance executives, and politicians implicated in communications about visiting Epstein's island, despite knowledge of his crimes as a pedophile.
Potential Consequences and Next Steps
When asked by Welker if he is prepared to move forward with contempt and impeachment charges against Bondi, Khanna responded cautiously. He explained that he and Massie have "not moved on it" yet, opting to give the Justice Department "some benefit of the doubt." They have requested a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Blanche, who has expressed openness to discussing the redactions and rationale behind the document release.
Khanna warned that if the DOJ fails to provide the remaining files and survivors' concerns are not addressed, he and Massie are prepared to pursue impeachment or contempt proceedings. "If we don't get the remaining files... then Thomas Massie and I are prepared to move on impeachment or contempt," he asserted, underscoring the ongoing pressure for transparency and justice in this high-profile case.
