WASHINGTON, DC — Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna said Monday that at least six individuals “likely incriminated” in the Jeffrey Epstein case remain shielded by redactions, prompting renewed pressure on the Department of Justice to remove what lawmakers argue are excessive blackouts that go beyond legal limits.
The bipartisan lawmakers reviewed an unredacted tranche of Epstein-related DOJ files for the first time and said they quickly identified multiple names that were obscured in the publicly released versions. Massie and Khanna were lead sponsors of the law that forced the release of the records and said Congress has not yet received a required privilege log explaining the redactions, which must be delivered within 15 days.
According to the lawmakers, some redactions conceal FBI “302” interview forms and references to potential co-conspirators across government, finance, and technology. Khanna said the intent is not to accuse everyone named in the files, but to ensure transparency when records suggest criminal conduct involving underage victims.
The review process itself drew criticism. Lawmakers were required to leave phones and staff outside, with only four computers available in a secure DOJ room. Rep. Jamie Raskin said he observed “lots of examples” of over-redaction and warned that the current pace could stretch review efforts for years.
Massie said he will not release names independently, instead giving the DOJ time to correct what he called mistakes. Lawmakers also questioned whether some documents arrived at DOJ already redacted by the FBI or a grand jury, which would violate the statute mandating full access for congressional review.
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