Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed outrage after the US Department of Justice released a limited, heavily redacted batch of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, in what they say is a violation of a law requiring near-complete disclosure by Friday.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said the release does not comply with the law and that he and co-author Thomas Massie are exploring all options, including possible impeachment of justice department officials or contempt of Congress. Massie warned that a future justice department could convict the current attorney general for non-compliance.
Frustrations grew on Saturday as the department released some new files, including transcripts, while also removing more than a dozen others from its website without explanation. At least 16 files disappeared, according to an Associated Press tally, including an image showing a photograph of Donald Trump alongside Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Democrats on the House oversight committee questioned what else might be covered up, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the handling of the release “one of the biggest cover ups in American history”. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by Trump 30 days ago, mandates full disclosure of investigative files unless they would imperil ongoing investigations, threaten national security, or identify victims.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged the department would not release all files on Friday, stating that several hundred thousand documents would be released that day and more over the following weeks, with a focus on protecting victims. New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the bipartisan criticism, saying “the coverup is out in the open”.
