Lawmakers Accuse DOJ Of Tracking Epstein File Searches
Rep. Pramila Jayapal alleged Attorney General Pam Bondi showed a printed record of her DOJ search history during a House Judiciary hearing.
Overview
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., alleged on Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi showed a printed "Jayapal Pramila Search History" during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, and photographs from the hearing show a sheet with that label.
The Justice Department said it "logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information," but DOJ officials did not explain why Bondi had a printed copy, according to a department statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters on Thursday that he does not think it "appropriate" for the Justice Department to track lawmakers' searches and said he had discussed the matter with Rep. Jayapal.
The Justice Department has allowed members of Congress to review more than 3 million pages of unredacted Epstein-related materials under the Epstein Files Transparency Act on four computer kiosks, records show.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said he will ask the Justice Department inspector general to open an inquiry into whether the department recorded or retained lawmakers' search histories.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the episode largely neutrally, reporting DOJ's explanation that searches are logged and printing Reuters images while attributing sharp language to lawmakers. They balance Democratic outrage—Jayapal’s “spying” charge and calls for inquiry—with GOP pushback from Johnson and Jordan, avoiding evaluative prose and letting quoted statements carry the heat.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Jayapal alleged that Bondi showed a printed record labeled 'Jayapal Pramila Search History' detailing her searches on DOJ systems for Epstein files.
The DOJ logs all searches on its systems to protect against the release of victim information.
Johnson stated it is not appropriate for the DOJ to track lawmakers' searches and discussed the matter with Rep. Jayapal.
The DOJ has allowed members of Congress to review more than 3 million pages of unredacted Epstein-related materials on four computer kiosks.
Raskin said he will ask the Justice Department inspector general to inquire into whether the department recorded or retained lawmakers' search histories.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.