By Harshit
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 —
DOJ Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Partial Epstein File Release
The U.S. Department of Justice is forcefully denying accusations of a cover-up after releasing only a partial and heavily redacted set of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, triggering a deepening political crisis surrounding Donald Trump.
The release, made to comply with a congressionally mandated deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, revealed that more than 1,200 individuals have been identified as victims or relatives of victims. The documents span decades and include material from dozens of hard drives, CDs, and computers seized during investigations.
However, critics say the disclosure falls dramatically short of the law’s requirements, with hundreds of thousands of records still under review and many key documents absent.
Survivors and Lawmakers Say Disclosure Violates the Law
Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike accuse the DOJ of flouting both the spirit and letter of the law, warning that the limited release risks retraumatizing survivors while shielding powerful figures.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said the department’s motives cannot be trusted.
“They have not shown any deference or respect for the victims at all,” Raskin told CNN. “This is about covering up things Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public.”
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a co-author of the transparency legislation, echoed those concerns.
“I won’t be satisfied until the survivors are satisfied,” Massie said, accusing the administration of deliberate foot-dragging.
Threats of Contempt and Impeachment Loom
Massie’s Democratic counterpart in the disclosure effort, Rep. Ro Khanna, warned that contempt proceedings could be initiated after the holidays if full compliance is not achieved.
“We’re building a bipartisan coalition,” Khanna said. “And it would fine Attorney General Pam Bondi for every day she fails to release these documents.”
Despite the threats, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed the accusations during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“Bring it on,” Blanche said. “Virtually all of these documents contain victim information. The attorney general will not allow a single piece of paper identifying a victim to be released.”
Trump, Clinton Appear — But Unevenly
Among the released materials were photographs and references involving former President Bill Clinton, including an image showing him in a pool next to a person whose face was redacted.
By contrast, references to Trump were sparse, despite his past friendship with Epstein. A photograph showing Trump among other images inside a desk drawer briefly appeared on a DOJ website Saturday before being removed and later restored following review.
Neither Trump nor Clinton has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. A Clinton spokesperson accused the Trump administration of attempting to deflect scrutiny away from the current president.
Why the DOJ May Be Holding Back
Analysts and former officials suggest several possible explanations for the DOJ’s limited disclosure:
- Scale and complexity: The Epstein files reportedly total nearly 300 gigabytes, making rapid review difficult without errors.
- Institutional disruption: Trump-era purges of career DOJ officials may have weakened the department’s capacity to manage such a massive disclosure.
- Political self-protection: Critics argue the DOJ may be shielding Trump due to previously released evidence highlighting his social ties to Epstein.
Each explanation, critics say, still fails to justify noncompliance with the law.
Epstein Case Fuels Conspiracy and Political Fractures
The Epstein saga has long held symbolic power within Trump’s political base, reinforcing narratives about elite corruption and a hidden “deep state.”
Epstein’s death by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, combined with decades of evading prosecution, has made the case fertile ground for conspiracy theories. Legal experts warn that partial transparency only intensifies suspicion, even if no conspiracy exists.
The controversy has also exposed fractures within the Republican Party, with Speaker Mike Johnson struggling to contain dissent among lawmakers demanding full disclosure.
Democrats Weigh Strategy as Midterms Approach
While some Democrats are pushing for impeachment or contempt actions, others urge caution.
Sen. Tim Kaine warned against rushing punitive measures.
“We have tools in appropriations bills to force compliance,” Kaine said. “I’d rather use those than jump straight to impeachment.”
Raskin also cautioned against symbolic actions that may fail in a GOP-controlled Congress.
“Bring me some Republicans,” he said. “Then we can talk.”
Survivors Still Waiting for Justice
For Epstein’s victims, the political infighting offers little comfort.
Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips told CNN that the DOJ’s actions feel like another betrayal.
“The victims want answers. We want to connect the dots,” she said. “They’re protecting themselves, not the victims.”
More than three decades after the first complaints were filed, survivors say delayed justice continues to define their experience — and the latest document release risks becoming yet another false dawn.