Epstein Files Frustrations Threaten to Bleed Into Congress’ 2026

Congressional Democrats and a few gadfly Republicans, furious about redactions in last week’s release of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, are gearing up to challenge the Trump administration in January.

As with almost everything in the GOP-controlled Congress, their options are limited. But the pushback — however inconsequential — likely will dominate the House and Senate when lawmakers return from their holiday recess next month.

On social media and in TV appearances over the weekend, frustrated lawmakers laid out their plans to address their disappointment with the limited release of the files. The White House acknowledged the release was incomplete, contending that Congress’ Friday, Dec. 19, deadline left officials insufficient time to sort through all the files.

Both chambers will return in two weeks for the second half of the 119th Congress. From messaging bills to all-out obstruction, here’s how Democrats and renegade Republicans can exhibit their frustrations about the administration’s handling of the Epstein files:

Inherent Contempt

“The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against [Attorney General] Pam Bondi,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the GOP leader of the Epstein files push in the House, said on CBS Sunday with his co-lead Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

Massie said he and Khanna are already drafting that effort, which would require only House support. Khanna said the lawmakers are building a “bipartisan coalition” around a resolution that would fine Bondi for every day she doesn’t release the full documents. The California Democrat also, in a separate appearance on CNN, floated a similar effort against Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

If the effort goes forward, it’s certain to face backlash from House Republican leadership and the Trump administration. But the plan makes clear that Bondi will be the target of Congress’ opposition to the redactions in the Epstein files.

Impeachment

Along with inherent contempt, Khanna said members of Congress are discussing the possibility of impeaching officials involved in slow-walking and redacting the files. The House alone could impeach Bondi or another government official if Republicans joined in, though the Senate would be unlikely to remove anyone from office.

While calls for impeachment are fairly common in a politically divided Washington, impeachment itself remains rare.

Alejandro Mayorkas, who served as Homeland Security secretary under former President Joe Biden, last year became the first Cabinet official to be impeached in almost 150 years. House Republicans accused Mayorkas of high crimes and misdemeanors for failing to secure the border, but the Senate voted to dismiss the charges.

Pushing Senate to Sue

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is pressing the Senate to sue the Justice Department, accusing the administration of not complying with the law. He said Monday he’s introducing a resolution to force the chamber to take legal action against the department.

“The law Congress passed is crystal clear: release the Epstein files in full so Americans can see the truth,” Schumer said in a statement Monday. “Instead, the Trump Department of Justice dumped redactions and withheld the evidence – that breaks the law.”

Schumer and Senate Democrats spent the week leading up to the law’s deadline warning that they were working with lawyers and that there would be “serious legal and political consequences” if the files were redacted.

Blocking ‘Business as Usual’

Democrats are also threatening to make other business in the chamber more challenging in an effort to push back against the administration.

Earlier this month, senators demanded a briefing on the Epstein files, from Bondi. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) said they will block the Senate from carrying over any outstanding civilian nominations into next year until they’re briefed.

Merkley and Luján are blocking more than 90 pending civilian nominees, which means Trump would have to renominate in the new year. “There can be no business as usual until justice is delivered for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes,” Merkley and Luján said.

In both chambers, Democrats could also hold up committee hearings by introducing amendments related to the Epstein files. They used similar tactics earlier this summer as Republicans scrambled to prevent the release due to Trump’s opposition.

Using Appropriations

Some lawmakers are expressing skepticism about moving on contempt and impeachment efforts, instead pointing to the possibility of including mechanisms in funding bills that are being negotiated.

“We have tools in appropriations bills and other tools to force compliance if somebody is dragging their feet, and I’d rather focus on those tools,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said on Meet the Press, pointing to their recent efforts with the defense bill.

Congress tucked a provision into the sweeping annual defense policy bill to force the Pentagon to hand over unedited video of the strikes against alleged drug-running boats off the coast of Venezuela, restricting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget if he doesn’t comply.