Yet the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is coming under heavy fire. This follows their partial release of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Former President Donald Trump officially signed the legislation into law only 30 days prior to the mandated release date. This law mandated the DOJ to release every investigative file connected to Epstein by December 19. This has left many lawmakers and advocates disappointed with the paltry information released so far. They are equally dismayed by the deletion of thousands of important public-facing records.
That’s why when on Friday, the DOJ made an exciting announcement, we were thrilled. They published new documents from Epstein’s case, including deposition transcripts and police photos. An Associated Press count shows that at least 16 texts disappeared from the department’s public website. This national disappearance, incalculable to the last penny, wasn’t normal or natural. Critics contend that this move puts up very dubious obstacles to transparency and accountability where Epstein’s vast web is concerned.
This is why we’re excited that Congressman Ro Khanna has co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act. According to him, the DOJ has mishandled the situation, and that’s putting it mildly. He explained that the release was not consistent with the law’s mandates for complete transparency.
“The justice department’s document dump this afternoon does not comply with Thomas Massie and my Epstein Transparency Act,” – Ro Khanna
Khanna condemned the DOJ’s behavior, saying that those obstructing justice in the Epstein case should be prosecuted. This is a significant step toward full transparency in an issue that has attracted high level and national public attention.
The DOJ strongly disputed that characterization. Specifically, they pointed out that the files released weren’t just a bunch of important pictures of former President Bill Clinton. The third man pictured above, Todd Blanche, one time Trump’s criminal defense lawyer, is now a deputy attorney general. He explained that while they intend to release a few hundred thousand documents in the near future, not all of them will be public immediately.
“I expect that we’re going to release more documents over the next couple of weeks,” – Todd Blanche
Critics, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democratic lawmakers, have ripped the DOJ over this. They say the agency has ineffectively managed the rollout of documents related to Epstein. They have frequently cited the absence of materials and the wide scope of redactions within those released files as proof of a cover-up.
“Now the coverup is out in the open. This is far from over. Everyone involved will have to answer for this,” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Ocasio-Cortez further criticized officials within Trump’s administration for allegedly protecting powerful individuals linked to Epstein’s crimes. And she didn’t just demand accountability. She called for the immediate resignation of all those implicated, calling it a systematic failure to provide justice.
Other lawmakers echoed her sentiments. Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) condemned the DOJ for not complying with its legal requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. He referred to the release as nothing but a “whitewash,” the product of a “coverup” instigated by Trump and his administration.
“The [justice department] is breaking the law by not releasing the full Epstein files. This is not transparency,” – Robert Garcia
Members of the House oversight committee expressed concern over what appears to be a paper trail going missing. They further pointed out the disturbing lack of a photo of Trump included in the released materials. They raised doubts about what else was being hidden from the public eye.
“What else is being covered up?” – House oversight committee Democrats
Our posted Epstein Files Transparency Act would require the release of all pertinent files. Yet it shields from public scrutiny any harm to ongoing criminal investigations, national security, and identification of victims. Critics have expressed that most redactions in the released documents seem to have been made in bad faith and are unjustified.
“The [justice department] has had months and hundreds of agents to put these files together, and yet entire documents are redacted – from the first word to the last,” – Robert Garcia
With increasing uncertainty and growing concern among the legal community, congressional lawmakers are closely looking at their options to ensure compliance with the law. They argue that public transparency and trust is key in exposing public accountability related to Epstein’s many alleged co-conspirators.