A sharp congressional backlash has erupted after the Department of Justice announced it would only release a portion of the Jeffrey Epstein files, citing a new law that mandates public disclosure.
The DOJ’s Partial Release
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters on Friday that the DOJ would publish “several hundred thousand” documents that day. He added that, over the next couple of weeks, he expects “several hundred thousand more.”
Blanche said the delay was driven by the sheer volume of documents that staff must review. The law that governs the release allows the DOJ to redact identifying information about victims, which adds to the review time.
The legislation, passed with strong bipartisan support, requires the Justice Department to post the unclassified files within 30 days. Failure to do so is a violation of federal law.
Congressional Response
Reps. Robert Garcia (Calif.) and Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Judiciary Committee, issued a joint statement condemning the DOJ’s actions. They wrote:
> “Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are now violating federal law as they continue covering up the facts and the evidence about Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long, billion-dollar, international sex trafficking ring. For months, [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has denied survivors the transparency and accountability they have demanded and deserve and has defied the Oversight Committee’s subpoena. The Department of Justice is now making clear it intends to defy Congress itself.”
The statement also noted that courts across the country have repeatedly intervened when the administration has broken the law. Garcia and Raskin said they are now “examining all legal options in the face of this violation of federal law.” They added that the survivors of the Epstein case deserve justice, the co-conspirators must be held accountable, and the American people deserve complete transparency from the DOJ.
Standing and Litigation
Members of Congress have historically struggled to successfully launch lawsuits challenging the government’s failure to comply with laws passed by the body. Courts have often ruled that members do not always have standing to sue.
Raskin’s team has created a litigation task force that has weighed in on various suits brought by other parties. The task force offers background on the congressional intent that has shaped related statutes.
Republican Perspective
Some Republicans also view the partial release as a violation of the law. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of the bipartisan duo that led the effort to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, posted a screenshot of the bill on X. The screenshot highlighted the 30-day deadline.
Massie said there was “no ambiguity with the law and what the law requires to be released.” He added that President Trump “has agreed to comply with this law” and that Pam Bondi “has to comply with it,” warning that penalties would follow if she does not.
Key Takeaways
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a partial release of “several hundred thousand” Epstein documents, with more expected over the next weeks.
- The DOJ’s delay is attributed to the volume of documents and the need to redact victim identifying information.
- Reps. Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin accuse the DOJ of violating federal law and threaten to explore all legal options.
- Congressional members have limited standing in lawsuits challenging government non-compliance, but Raskin’s task force is preparing for potential action.
- Republican Rep. Thomas Massie also views the partial release as a breach of the transparency act and warns of penalties for non-compliance.
Closing
The unfolding dispute highlights the tension between executive agency discretion and congressional oversight. As the DOJ moves forward with its staged release, lawmakers remain vigilant, ready to pursue legal avenues to enforce the transparency law and hold the administration accountable for the Epstein files.
