investment

Epstein files: DOJ says it logs Congress members' searches to 'protect' victim information

CNBC

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⚡ Quantum Brief

The Department of Justice admitted Thursday it logs all congressional searches of its Epstein-related evidence systems to prevent unauthorized disclosure of victim information, sparking controversy. Rep. Pramila Jayapal condemned the DOJ’s monitoring of her Epstein file searches as "outrageous" after documents revealed her activity was tracked during a House Judiciary hearing. Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with Jayapal when victims present at the hearing indicated they’d been denied DOJ meetings, escalating tensions over transparency. The DOJ stated it provides unredacted Epstein documents to Congress but monitors searches to safeguard victim privacy, though lawmakers called the practice inappropriate. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was unaware of the logging but deemed it "inappropriate if it happened," adding to bipartisan criticism of the DOJ’s oversight methods.

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The Department of Justice said Thursday that it "logs all searches" by members of Congress on its data systems holding evidence about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to guard against the public release of information about his victims.The DOJ's statement came a day after a document contained in a binder used by Attorney General Pam Bondi at a House Judiciary Committee hearing indicated the DOJ had logged information about searches of the so-called Epstein files by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.Jayapal, D-Wash., called the monitoring of her searches in the Epstein files "totally inappropriate," and "outrageous."Several other members of Congress in recent days visited the DOJ to examine the Epstein files, including documents that were not among the more than 3 million files related to the predator that have been publicly released.In a statement to CNBC on Thursday, a DOJ spokeswoman said, "DOJ has extended Congress the opportunity to review unredacted documents in the Epstein files.""As a part of that review, DOJ logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information," the spokeswoman said.House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday night said he had not seen or heard anything about the DOJ logging Japayal's searches of the Epstein files, "but that would be inappropriate if it happened."Jayapal at Wednesday's hearing exchanged sharp words with Bondi after a group of women in the room who had been sexually abused by Epstein to indicate if they had been unable to meet with the DOJ.Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you.Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inboxGet this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.© 2026 Versant Media, LLC.

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