Senators call for investigation into release, redaction of Epstein files

A bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate the Department of Justice's release and redactions of documents related to disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The letter, signed by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, alleges the DOJ did not comply with a law that aimed to compel the release of the Epstein files while protecting victims."Contrary to Congress's explicit directive to protect victims, these records included email addresses and nude photos in which the names and faces of publicly-identified and non-public victims could be identified," the lawmakers wrote. "But when it came to information identifying powerful business and political figures who are alleged coconspirators or material witnesses, DOJ appears to have heavily redacted those records."The GAO is an independent, non-partisan legislative branch agency with authority to audit and investigate the federal government. The DOJ has been repeatedly criticized for withholding parts of the Epstein files from the public in violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Donald Trump signed in November after months of opposition. That law mandated the full release of documents by Dec. 19.While the DOJ has released millions of documents to date, it blew past the December deadline and many more Epstein files entries have not yet been made public, prompting outcry from both Republican and Democratic members of Congress.Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have called for the DOJ's Inspector General to investigate the department's handling of the Epstein files.

The House Oversight Committee last week voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi as part of its probe into Epstein, who died in 2019.The letter asks Acting Comptroller General Orice Williams Brown to review the "protocols and practices" the DOJ used for the review, redaction and release of the Epstein files and to report back to Congress. It specifically asks the GAO to investigate whether the release of the "files has served to cover up child sexual abuse.""This horrific scandal is one where powerful, wealthy men groomed, abused, and raped young women, men, and children," the senators wrote "It is critical to understand what led to DOJ's failure to redact the victims' information and re-victimize those individuals while violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act in its redactions of information related to their alleged abusers."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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