Lawmakers have criticized the Justice Department for releasing only an initial tranche of files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, arguing that it does not go far enough in providing transparency to survivors. The release came after years of pressure from lawmakers and survivors seeking more documents about individuals involved in the abuse.
Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who led the push for the files’ release, say the Justice Department is “flouting” the law by not releasing all the files as required by a law signed earlier this year. They claim that key documents implicate rich and powerful men who visited Epstein’s island and covered up the abuse.
The Justice Department released thousands of files, including new images and grand jury transcripts. However, many pages were fully redacted, sparking scrutiny from survivors and lawmakers. Khanna called the redactions “excessive,” while Massie described the department’s posture as “troubling.”
Lawmakers are now pushing for further action to ensure that all relevant documents are released. Rep. Khanna said, “We want the files out.” He is building a bipartisan coalition to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi accountable for releasing more documents. The goal is to identify who was involved in the abuse and cover-ups.
The Justice Department has defended its release, claiming that some redactions were required by law. However, Khanna and Massie argue that this does not justify withholding crucial information from survivors. They say the system is corrupt, and the Justice Department’s actions have sparked widespread outrage among those seeking justice for Epstein’s victims.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ro-khanna-thomas-massie-jeffrey-epstein-file-release-survivors