Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) filed articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Why it matters: The effort is an extreme long shot, but it shows where Democrats are turning their attention now that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out.
- The House Oversight Committee voted on a bipartisan basis Wednesday to subpoena Bondi over the Epstein files.
- The subpoena was offered by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), but all Democrats voted for it along with four other Republicans.
Driving the news: Thanedar said in a press release that he is introducing three articles of impeachment charging Bondi with obstruction of Congress, dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice, and weaponizing and politicizing the DOJ.
- Thanedar said that Bondi is "illegally withholding millions of Epstein Files" after Congress passed a law requiring DOJ to release all of its documents related to the deceased billionaire and convicted sex offender.
- "Her conduct is a spit in the face to survivors everywhere, and we cannot allow it to continue," he said.
Between the lines: This is the third time since Trump took office last year that Thanedar has tried to impeach either the president or one of his Cabinet officials.
- He initially sought to force a vote on his articles of impeachment against Trump in May, but scrapped those plans at the last minute.
- Thanedar has also moved to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over "Signalgate" and reports of double-tap strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats
Reality check: Neither of these efforts has gained much traction with Thanedar's fellow Democrats, let alone the Republicans who control the House.
- A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
