5:02In this Nov. 18, 2025, file photo, Rep. Robert Garcia addresses the media during a press conference regarding the “Epstein Files” outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Heather Diehl/Getty Images, FILE
Numerous members of Congress have criticized the Department of Justice for its release of certain documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, asserting that the administration is failing to adhere to the law that requires all files to be disclosed by the close of business on Friday.
Previously, Democratic legislators cautioned the Trump administration that they were “exploring all legal avenues” to ensure compliance with Friday’s deadline, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accusing the administration of “violating the law.”
On Friday, the Justice Department initiated the release of what was anticipated to be hundreds of thousands of documents resulting from its investigations into Epstein.
However, while the administration assesses the documents for sensitive information, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in an interview with Fox News earlier that more releases would follow in the coming weeks — suggesting the administration does not believe it can fully meet the law’s requirement to release all files by 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
"Today, we are releasing several hundred thousand, and in the next couple of weeks, I anticipate several hundred thousand more," Blanche remarked.
These remarks provoked an immediate response from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
In this Nov. 18, 2025, file photo, Rep. Robert Garcia speaks during a news conference on the “Epstein Files” outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Heather Diehl/Getty Images, FILE
What authors of Epstein files bill say
California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, a co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, shared a video on X detailing why he believes the DOJ’s release “does not meet” legal requirements.
"Our legislation mandates that they provide explanations for redactions. There is not a single explanation provided," Khanna stated.
Khanna described the release as “incomplete” and mentioned he is considering actions such as impeachment, contempt charges, or referral for prosecution.
"We will collaborate with the survivors to demand the full disclosure of these documents," he added.
Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who spearheaded the effort to compel the Justice Department to release the files, remarked on X that the document release “significantly fails to adhere to both the spirit and the letter of the law” that requires these documents to be made public.
Dems examine legal options
Schumer asserted that the administration is “determined to conceal the truth,” and emphasized that failing to release all of the Epstein documents by the deadline on Friday would be “illegal.”
"Senate Democrats are collaborating closely with attorneys representing the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and with external legal experts to evaluate which documents are being withheld and what is being concealed by Pam Bondi. We will not cease until the complete truth is revealed," Schumer vowed in a statement. "The public desires transparency and continues to demand the immediate release of all Epstein documents. This amounts to nothing more than a cover-up intended to shield Donald Trump from his disgraceful past."
Trump has denied any awareness of Epstein’s offenses, stating that he had not communicated with Epstein for over a decade at the time of Epstein’s arrest in 2019.
Trump’s name appeared numerous times in the hundreds of Epstein files that were released earlier this year. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles informed Vanity Fair in an article published this week that Trump “is mentioned in the files” but emphasized that “he’s not mentioned in the context of doing anything wrong.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com