Rep. Thomas Massie accused the Trump administration of 'flaunting' a law passed this fall after the DOJ issued only a partial release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Massie posted screenshots comparing the Epstein Files Transparency Act's disclosure requirements with a DOJ letter asserting privilege to withhold certain materials. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a staggered release to allow redactions that protect victims, while Democrats on oversight panels say they are exploring legal options.
Massie Says Trump DOJ Is 'Flaunting' Congress With Partial Epstein File Releases
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) for a second consecutive day renewed his criticism of the Trump administration after the Department of Justice issued only a partial release of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Massie charged that the DOJ is 'flaunting' the law Congress passed this fall requiring broader disclosure.
Massie Posts Comparison
Massie posted on X, urging followers to compare the language of the Epstein Files Transparency Act with a letter the administration sent to Congress that asserted privilege to withhold certain documents. He shared screenshots highlighting the statutory requirement that DOJ provide internal communications about whether it sought to charge or investigate Epstein — or decided not to — and contrasted that with the department's claim of privilege over decision-related materials.
"Compare Language of Epstein Files Transparency Act directing DOJ to provide internal communications regarding their decisions Versus DOJ letter to Congress asserting privilege to omit materials related to decisions, because they weren’t specified by law," Massie wrote. He concluded: "THEY ARE FLAUNTING LAW."
DOJ Response And Ongoing Releases
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ would not release every file at once but pledged additional, staged releases in the coming weeks. Blanche said the pace was necessary to redact names and identifying information for victims and witnesses. He told Fox News the department is "looking at every single piece of paper that we are going to produce, making sure that every victim, their name, their identity, their story, to the extent it needs to be protected, is completely protected," and that more documents are expected in the weeks ahead.
In a post on X, the DOJ press office framed the effort as an initial production that meets a Dec. 19 benchmark while protecting victims, asserting that the releases represent transparency beyond what prior administrations provided.
Lawmakers And Survivors Respond
Survivors of Epstein's abuse and lawmakers who backed the transparency statute expressed anger and disappointment that all requested records were not released. Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, said they are "now examining all legal options in the face of this violation of federal law."
Massie continued to press the administration, saying the partial release failed "to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law that @realDonaldTrump signed just 30 days ago."
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