Key Democratic lawmakers demand DOJ explain only partial Epstein files release
Not long after the Justice Department on Friday released millions of additional files related to the probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein -- but withheld others -- key congressional Democrats demanded explanations about the partial release.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act requiring the release, noted that the Justice Department said there were 6 million "potentially responsive pages" from the files, but was releasing only 3.5 million pages after review and redactions.
"This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld. I will be reviewing closely to see if they release what I’ve been pushing for," Khanna said in a statement.
"Failing to release these files only shields the powerful individuals who were involved and hurts the public’s trust in our institutions," he added.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department did not release all of the files Friday due to the presence of child sexual abuse material and victim rights obligations.
Later Friday, Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, the other half of the bipartisan duo that spearheaded the law mandating DOJ release the Epstein files, sent a letter to Blanche requesting an in-person meeting to review unredacted Epstein files material.
"We have seen a blanket approach to redactions in some areas, while in other cases, victim names were not redacted at all," the letter stated. "Congress cannot properly assess the Department’s handling of the Epstein and Maxwell cases without access to the complete record. Accordingly, we request your assistance in arranging a secure, in-person review of these unredacted materials at the Department’s earliest convenience."
At a press conference Friday, Blanche said several categories of pages were withheld from the release due to their sensitive nature. These items include personally identifying information of the victims, victims' medical files, images depicting child pornography, information related to ongoing cases, and any images depicting death or abuse.
He pushed back on the notion that the Justice Department might have protected Trump from his name appearing in the files.
"We comply with the act, and there is no 'protect President Trump.' We didn't protect or not protect anybody," Blanche said when questioned by ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas. "I mean, I think that there's a hunger or a thirst for information that I do not think will be satisfied by the review of these documents. And there's nothing I can do about that."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement on X that he was reviewing the files and had several questions for Attorney General Pam Bondi, including about the missing pages.
"You say all the documents are released. Does that include ALL of the co-conspirator memos, the corporate protection memos, the original Palm Beach Police Department reports, etc.?" he said in his statement. "Has all the relevant information been released on each of the 10 alleged Epstein co-conspirators?"
"Has every document that mentions the word Trump been released?" Schumer added.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, also said in a statement he had concerns about the amount of information still unreleased, calling the situation "outrageous and concerning."
"The Oversight Committee subpoena directs Pam Bondi to release all the files to the committee, while protecting survivors. They are in violation of the law," he said.
"We are demanding the names of Epstein’s co-conspirators and the men and pedophiles who abused women and girls. We will begin a thorough review of this latest limited production, but let's be clear: our work and investigation are just getting started," he added.
