Congress, survivors blast DOJ over missed Epstein file release deadline
Frustration is mounting on Capitol Hill and among survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after the Department of Justice failed to meet a Friday deadline
(NBC)- Frustration is mounting on Capitol Hill and among survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after the Department of Justice failed to meet a Friday deadline required by law to release all remaining Epstein-related files.
Lawmakers from both parties — who have led efforts to force the disclosure — are now threatening to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress or pursue impeachment proceedings against Justice Department officials. They point to thousands of documents that remain unreleased and hundreds of pages that were heavily redacted.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie accused the department of violating both the intent and the requirements of the law. He said he will not be satisfied until survivors are satisfied with the level of transparency.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna echoed those concerns, saying the courts are likely to determine that many of the redactions were excessive.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the rollout of the documents in an interview with NBC News anchor Kristen Welker. Blanche said the Justice Department is taking a deliberate approach, with hundreds of lawyers reviewing each document to ensure victims’ names and identifying information are properly protected.
Blanche also addressed criticism surrounding photos and documents that were briefly posted online and later removed, including one image showing President Trump alongside photos of several women. Blanche said the image was taken down after concerns were raised about the women pictured and stressed the decision had nothing to do with the former president. The photo was later reposted by the department.
The Justice Department maintains that no redactions were made to shield prominent individuals. However, a group representing Epstein survivors called the handling of the release “a step backward for transparency,” arguing the delays and redactions undermine accountability.
As pressure grows from lawmakers and advocacy groups, questions remain over when — or if — the remaining Epstein files will be made fully public.
