US Lawmakers Accuse Justice Department of ‘Inappropriately’ Redacting Epstein Files
US lawmakers have accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of improperly redacting files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On Monday, Congress members began reviewing the unredacted versions of approximately three million pages released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) since last December.
– Lack of Compliance: Democratic Representative Ro Khanna stated, The core issue is that they’re not complying with my law, because these were scrubbed back in March by Donald Trump’s FBI.
– Initial Reactions: After their complaints, one document was unredacted, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche affirming on social media that The DOJ is committed to transparency.
– Violations Highlighted: Lawyers representing Epstein’s victims criticized the redactions, stating that files released included identifiable email addresses and nude photos of potential victims. Survivors labeled the disclosure as outrageous, emphasizing that they should not be named, scrutinized, and retraumatized.
– Explanation from the DOJ: The DOJ responded, claiming that the flagged files were taken down and stating errors resulted from technical or human error.
– Notable Findings: After reviewing unredacted documents, Representatives Khanna and Thomas Massie revealed that about 20 names were redacted, save for Epstein’s and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell’s. Massie highlighted that six of these names potentially belong to men who might be implicated by the inclusion in these files.
Uncovering the Epstein Files: Transparency Issues
– Further Unredaction: In response to concerns, Deputy Attorney General Blanche stated, We just unredacted all non-victim names from this document. The DOJ is committed to transparency. He also pointed to a new file version that contains only two blacked-out names related to Epstein victims, per EFTA’s stipulations.
– Critique of DOJ Practices: Khanna maintained that the unredaction efforts post-release failed to comply with the EFTA law, which was nearly unanimously passed in Congress and signed by President Trump in November. He demanded that the FBI’s earlier redactions be reversed so the identities of the powerful men tied to Epstein can be revealed.
– Technical Concerns: Massie added that the improper handling of redactions indicated the DOJ needs to do a little more homework. He noted discrepancies, revealing that the 302 forms were redacted before reaching the DOJ, which contradicts the law’s directive for the FBI to un-redact relevant information.
Key Figures in the Epstein Files
– Suspicious Correspondence: Among the notable redactions, Massie identified an email exchange involving Epstein discussing a torture video and travel plans between China and the United States. He called for the identity behind this correspondence to be revealed.
– Further Name Discoveries: Blanche clarified that some blacked-out text in the files simply represented an email address and affirmed that names, including that of a well-known retired CEO, which had been excluded from public documents, were uncovered hours later.
Congressional Observations and Concerns
– Representatives Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, and Lauren Boebert, a Republican, were among the lawmakers examining the documents. Boebert suggested that there are folks who are definitely implicated by the content of the files, while Raskin criticized the limited access provided to Congress members, likening it to a cover-up. He calculated that with only four computers available, it could take Congress seven years to read through the extensive documents.
The ongoing scrutiny of the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files raises significant questions about transparency and accountability, underscoring the need for clarity in high-profile investigations involving powerful figures. The call for full compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act is crucial for addressing the concerns of survivors and safeguarding justice.