Lawmakers have expressed outrage after the US Justice Department released a heavily redacted and incomplete set of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in what critics say violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law by President Donald Trump last month.
Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, co-authors of the legislation, condemned the release. Khanna said in a video statement that the document dump “does not comply with Thomas Massie and my Epstein Transparency Act” and described it as “an incomplete release, with too many redactions.” He warned that all options are being explored, including possible impeachment of Justice Department officials and contempt of Congress proceedings.
Massie echoed the criticism on social media, stating that the release “grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law.” He added that a future Justice Department “could convict the current AG and others” for non-compliance, as the law does not expire like a congressional subpoena.
Frustrations grew after the department not only released limited documents but also removed more than a dozen files from its public website without explanation. Among the missing items was an image showing a photograph of Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell. Democrats on the House oversight committee questioned the removal, asking: “What else is being covered up?”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the handling “one of the biggest cover ups in American history.” The law requires near-complete disclosure of all Epstein investigation files by 19 December, with limited exceptions for ongoing criminal investigations, national security, or victim protection. The Justice Department acknowledged it would not meet the deadline, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stating that “several hundred thousand” documents would be released over the next couple of weeks.
New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the bipartisan criticism, saying “the coverup is out in the open” and that those involved “will have to answer for this.”
