WASHINGTON (AP) — A dozen U.S. senators are calling on the Justice Department’s watchdog to examine the department’s failure to release all records pertaining to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by last Friday’s congressionally mandated deadline, saying victims “deserve full disclosure” and the “peace of mind” of an independent audit.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined 11 Democrats in signing a letter Wednesday urging Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume to audit the Justice Department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted last month that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Given the (Trump) Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the senators wrote. Full transparency, they said, “is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes.”
Murkowski and Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., spearheaded the letter-writing group. Other signatories included Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Adam Schiff of California, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Cory Booker and Andy Kim of New Jersey, Gary Peters of Michigan, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a co-sponsor of the transparency act, claimed on social media that the DOJ made illegal redactions and missed the deadline.
Despite the deadline, the Justice Department has stated it plans to release records gradually, citing the need to protect survivors’ identities. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the importance of confidentiality during interviews with victims and the ongoing process to review documents before their release.
Records already made public include photos, transcripts, and other documents, but many were either obscurely redacted or previously known. New disclosures include potentially incriminating details regarding Trump's connections to Epstein and newly surfaced communications that hint towards Prince Andrew’s involvement.
The senator’s appeal for an audit follows Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's introduction of a resolution to potentially file lawsuits against the Justice Department to enforce compliance with the transparency requirements.
