DOJ Urges Judge to Reject Lawmakers’ Bid for Oversight of Epstein Files
DOJ urged judge to reject lawmakers' bid for a special master, saying members of Congress lack standing to compel oversight of Epstein and Maxwell documents.
Overview
Jay Clayton wrote to Judge Paul Engelmayer, urging rejection of Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie's request to appoint a special master overseeing Epstein-related document releases.
Khanna and Massie say DOJ released only about 12,000 documents out of more than two million, alleging slow progress, over-redaction, legal violations, and harm to survivors.
The DOJ contended the lawmakers lack Article III standing, the transparency law provides no private cause of action, and courts lack authority to impose the requested oversight.
Background: Epstein died in 2019 awaiting sex-trafficking trial; Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years; the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in 2025.
Judge Engelmayer has not ruled; DOJ says over 500 reviewers are processing documents and will update the court, while lawmakers threaten contempt and seek court intervention.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally, balancing DOJ legal arguments and lawmakers’ allegations while attributing charged terms to the sources themselves. They include Clayton’s procedural claim, Khanna and Massie’s “flagrant violation” charge and DOJ’s explanation about redactions, giving readers both competing rationales and legal context without editorializing.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, Public Law 119-38, sponsored by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, requires the DOJ to release all materials gathered over two decades from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse by December 19, 2025, with reports on redactions and lists of named officials within 15 days after.
They allege the DOJ has released only about 12,000 of over two million documents, is slow-rolling releases, over-redacting, violating court orders and the law, removing records without explanation, and harming survivors.
DOJ argues that Reps. Khanna and Massie lack Article III standing, the transparency law provides no private cause of action, courts lack authority for oversight, and over 500 reviewers are processing documents with court updates planned.
Judge Paul Engelmayer has not ruled on the request; DOJ missed the January 3, 2026, report deadline and says it will update the court, while lawmakers threaten contempt proceedings.
Epstein died in 2019 awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges; Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years for her role in his crimes.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.