A Democratic member of Congress said lawmakers are now discussing the possibility of impeachment proceedings against Department of Justice officials following the partial and heavily redacted release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Rep. Ro Khanna of California said the manner in which the Department of Justice handled the release has raised serious questions about potential obstruction of justice. His comments came after the DOJ released a limited set of documents connected to Epstein, the deceased financier and convicted sex offender, while acknowledging that additional materials have not yet been made public.
On Friday, the Justice Department released a tranche of Epstein-related records but said it would require more time to review and disclose the remaining files. The partial release followed a law passed by Congress last month and signed by President Donald Trump, which required the full disclosure of Epstein files by December 19, with redactions permitted only to protect the identities of victims.
Instead of a complete release, the DOJ made public only a portion of the documents, many of which were heavily redacted. According to reporting by Fox News, the department redacted the names of individuals described as “politically exposed,” a category that typically includes high-profile public figures or individuals with significant political connections.
The redactions prompted criticism from lawmakers and commentators who argued that the law did not authorize the withholding of names for political sensitivity. Some of the released images also appeared to obscure individuals who did not appear to be minors, further fueling concerns about the scope and justification of the redactions.
Rep. Khanna suggested that Congress is actively discussing whether DOJ officials complied with the law’s requirements. He said the issue is not merely about transparency but about whether the department acted lawfully when it chose to delay and limit the release.
The handling of the release was overseen by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as a personal attorney for President Trump. Blanche has also drawn attention for interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and a convicted sex trafficker, during the summer while she was incarcerated.
Maxwell reportedly told Blanche during the prison interview that she never witnessed Trump engaging in improper conduct. Shortly after the interview, Maxwell was transferred to a lower-security facility. Reports indicate that she now receives more favorable conditions, including custom meals and access to recreational programs, though the DOJ has not publicly linked the transfer to the interview.
The department has stated that additional Epstein-related materials will be released following further review, though no firm timeline has been provided. Officials have cited the need to protect victims and ensure compliance with legal standards as reasons for the delay.
The episode has intensified bipartisan scrutiny of the Justice Department at a time when public interest in the Epstein case remains high. Lawmakers from both parties have previously demanded full transparency, citing the case’s implications for public trust in federal institutions.
While no formal impeachment proceedings have been initiated, Khanna’s remarks underscore the growing frustration on Capitol Hill and suggest that the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files could trigger further congressional action.
As the deadline mandated by law has already passed, attention is now focused on whether the department will release the remaining files without additional redactions and whether Congress will pursue accountability measures if it determines the law was not followed.
For now, the partial release has raised new questions rather than providing closure, keeping the Epstein case at the center of national debate over transparency, accountability, and equal application of the law.