Another political storm is brewing in Washington over the incomplete release of the Epstein files, and it’s got conservatives questioning who’s really guarding the henhouse.

On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Department of Justice dropped a partial batch of the Epstein files despite legal mandates to release them in full, prompting a bipartisan uproar that culminated in Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) endorsing contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi during a Monday interview on MS NOW’s “Ana Cabrera Reports.”

More than just a Beltway squabble, the failure to release all the files can be seen as a direct hit to trust in federal institutions and a potential legal quagmire that could rack up millions in compliance costs if lawsuits pile up over withheld information.

From a conservative lens, this reeks of selective transparency, especially when victims and the public deserve answers, not redactions. How can we preach accountability while the DOJ plays hide-and-seek with critical documents?

Epstein Files Spark Bipartisan Outrage

The DOJ’s partial disclosure on Friday raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Many expected full compliance with the law, but instead, we got a half-measure that’s left even progressive lawmakers like Rep. Crow fuming.

Fast forward to Monday, December 22, 2025, and Rep. Crow didn’t mince words on “Ana Cabrera Reports,” signaling he’s ready to join the fight for contempt proceedings against Bondi. It’s a rare moment of cross-aisle agreement, with Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna also mulling inherent contempt actions. Is this a genuine push for justice or just political theater?

Host Ana Cabrera pressed Crow on the issue, asking, “Would you support that move? And what did you make of what was revealed?”

Crow Slams Administration’s ‘Lawlessness’

Crow’s response was a bombshell, pulling no punches against the current administration. He declared, “Yeah, I would support that. I mean, the lawlessness of our attorney general, of our FBI director, of our secretary of Defense continues unabated, right?"

Continuing, Crow added, “And I agree with your former guest that I don’t believe we’re going to see all these files until there’s a different occupant in the White House, right?” From a right-leaning view, this jab at the administration’s grip on power hits home—why should we trust a system that seems to cherry-pick its obligations?

Crow’s frustration isn’t isolated; it’s shared by many who see this as part of a broader pattern of federal overreach and selective accountability. Conservatives have long warned against the weaponization of agencies like the DOJ, and this partial release only fuels those concerns.

FBI Inquiry Adds Fuel to Fire

Adding insult to injury, Crow revealed he’s under FBI scrutiny alongside colleagues like Mark Kelly for merely reiterating constitutional duties to service members. From a populist standpoint, this smells like intimidation—using federal muscle to silence dissent while dodging transparency on the Epstein case.

Victims of Epstein’s crimes, who’ve waited years for closure, are caught in the crossfire of this political chess game. If the DOJ can’t fulfill a basic legal mandate, what hope do ordinary citizens have for justice against powerful elites?

Conservatives might argue this is exactly why distrust in government festers—when agencies prioritize politics over duty, it’s the little guy who pays the price. And let’s be frank: stonewalling these files only deepens suspicions of a cover-up at the highest levels.

Will Contempt Proceedings Force Accountability?

The push for contempt proceedings, backed by Crow and potentially Massie and Khanna, could be a turning point—if it’s not just posturing. From a right-of-center perspective, it’s high time someone held the DOJ’s feet to the fire, no exceptions.

Yet, skepticism remains about whether this administration will budge without a seismic shift in power. The Epstein files aren’t just documents; they’re a litmus test for whether our government serves the people or shields the connected.

Ultimately, this saga is a wake-up call for conservatives and moderates alike: transparency isn’t a favor, it’s a right. If contempt proceedings are what it takes to drag the truth into the light, then so be it—let’s hope Congress has the spine to follow through.