The U.S. Justice Department is facing mounting bipartisan criticism over its handling of the release of files linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with lawmakers threatening potential contempt of Congress charges and victims denouncing what they describe as a deeply flawed disclosure process.
Anger flared on Monday after the department released thousands of Epstein-related documents last week, a move intended to comply with a transparency law passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Critics from across the political spectrum argue the release was slow, incomplete and overly redacted.
“The DOJ needs to quit protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected,” Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky said in a post on X. Massie is working alongside Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California on a bipartisan effort to force the release of remaining documents tied to Epstein investigations.
The two lawmakers said they may pursue contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi if the Justice Department does not comply within a 30-day grace period. They added that fines of up to $5,000 per day could be sought until the documents are turned over.
Former President Bill Clinton also entered the debate, urging the immediate release of any remaining Epstein materials that reference him. His spokesman, Angel Urena, said there was “widespread suspicion” that selective disclosures were being used to imply wrongdoing about individuals who had already been cleared by the Justice Department. Clinton has previously expressed regret over his association with Epstein and has not been accused of criminal conduct.
President Trump addressed the controversy at a press conference on Monday, saying he did not like pictures of Clinton or others being shown in the document releases. He argued that the Epstein issue was being used to distract from what he described as the administration’s broader successes, while acknowledging that many Republicans remain angry over the handling of the files.
@reuters U.S. President Donald Trump said on December 22 he “doesn’t like” that photos of Bill Clinton are being released from the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling the move “terrible.” #epsteinfiles #trump #clinton #billclinton #jeffreyepstein ♬ original sound – Reuters
The controversy has exposed divisions within the Republican Party, particularly among MAGA supporters who have long demanded full transparency in the Epstein case. Trump has alternately described the saga as a Democratic “hoax” while also supporting legislation mandating full disclosure.
In the Senate, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation aimed at compelling congressional access to all documents covered by the disclosure law. It remains unclear whether the effort will advance when lawmakers return from the holiday recess in early January.
The Justice Department has defended its actions, with spokesman Chad Gilmartin saying the agency will continue releasing thousands of pages and that no redactions are intended to protect famous or politically sensitive individuals. However, the department has already missed a key statutory deadline for disclosure.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse also criticized the process, saying the public has received only a fraction of the files, many of them marked by “abnormal and extreme redactions,” while some victim identities were reportedly left unprotected.
