Rep. Ro Khanna’s Bold New Plan to Revive U.S. Manufacturing—Here’s How It Could Boost Jobs and Tame Inflation

Washington — Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is threatening to use Congress’s rarely deployed “inherent contempt” power against Attorney General Pam Bondi after the Justice Department released only a portion of the Jeffrey Epstein files mandated under the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act. Khanna, who co-authored the statute with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), says the department missed its December 19 deadline and withheld key documents that could shed light on potential accomplices and any government missteps in the Epstein investigation. “Any official obstructing justice could face prosecution in this administration or the next,” Khanna told reporters, adding that fines against Bondi would accrue daily until full compliance is achieved. Massie echoed the warning on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” calling inherent contempt “the quickest way” to secure justice for survivors. The pair’s stance has drawn support from members across the aisle who backed the Transparency Act, amplifying pressure on the DOJ ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche insists hundreds of department lawyers are still redacting victims’ identities and vows the remaining files will be released, dismissing talk of contempt or impeachment as grandstanding. However, Khanna’s office argues the law already protects victim privacy and that further delays violate statutory deadlines. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recommends leveraging appropriations to force compliance, but Khanna maintains the House alone can summon inherent contempt without Senate approval. That procedural advantage gives the California progressive and his libertarian-leaning ally a potent—though untested—tool as they build a coalition frustrated by what they view as executive stonewalling. Why it matters for Silicon Valley and beyond: Khanna has cultivated a reputation as a technology-friendly lawmaker focused on transparency and civil liberties. His aggressive posture toward the DOJ could resonate with voters wary of government secrecy while bolstering his profile ahead of rumored 2028 ambitions. For the Biden administration, prolonged conflict risks alienating independents who backed the bipartisan transparency measure. What’s next: Khanna and Massie are drafting a resolution outlining fines and possible detention for Bondi should the unredacted files remain sealed past the new year. House leadership has not committed to floor time, but progressive and conservative caucuses alike signaled interest after Friday’s limited document dump. If enacted, inherent contempt proceedings would mark the first use of the authority since 1935, setting a historic precedent and testing the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch.