A federal judge has dismissed a request for independent oversight of the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, halting a push for full transparency. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie sought to compel the release of all documents pertaining to Epstein’s prosecution, believing the DOJ wasn’t fully complying with a recently enacted law.
The congressmen attempted to intervene in Ghislaine Maxwell’s case – she was convicted for her role in recruiting girls for Epstein – as “friends of the court,” hoping to secure the appointment of a special master. This master would have overseen the release of files mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), a law they championed.
Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled he lacked the authority to grant their request, stating the congressmen were not parties to Maxwell’s criminal case. He emphasized the case, resulting in Maxwell’s 20-year sentence, was effectively closed and not directly tied to the EFTA, which came into being after the initial proceedings.
The EFTA, signed into law last year, demanded the Justice Department release all evidence gathered during decades of Epstein investigations by December 19th. However, weeks past the deadline, only a small fraction of the estimated two million documents had been made public, sparking bipartisan criticism.
Khanna and Massie argued the DOJ’s slow release – just 12,000 documents of over two million reviewed – constituted a “flagrant violation” of the law. They expressed deep distrust in the department’s ability to self-regulate and ensure complete disclosure.
The Justice Department has cited the need for redactions to protect the identities of abuse victims as a primary reason for the delay. This explanation has done little to quell concerns about a potential cover-up or deliberate obstruction of transparency.
While acknowledging the “legitimate concerns” raised by the congressmen, Judge Engelmayer maintained his court’s role was limited to the existing case. Appointing an independent supervisor to oversee DOJ compliance with the EFTA fell outside the scope of his authority.
Despite this setback, both Khanna and Massie have vowed to continue their fight for full disclosure. They intend to explore other legal avenues to force the Justice Department to comply with the EFTA and deliver justice for the survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
Khanna stated the judge recognized the validity of their concerns, and they will pursue every available legal option to ensure the files are released. The congressmen remain determined to hold the DOJ accountable and provide a complete accounting of the Epstein investigations.
