Epstein files expected to start reaching lawmakers this week

[WASHINGTON] The Justice Department (DOJ) will begin providing members of Congress with files related to the sex-trafficking operation run by the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein this week, according to a House Republican leader.

The action comes in response to a subpoena demanding the “full, complete, unredacted Epstein files” sent earlier this month by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. The subpoena ordered the department to turn over the materials by Aug 19.

“There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,” Comer said on Monday (Aug 18).

The arrangement between Comer and the department indicates that negotiations will continue for weeks or months over which documents will be shared with lawmakers and when they will be provided. It is not clear if and when any of the files will be made public.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

The battle over releasing information about Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation has been plaguing US President Donald Trump, his top aides such as attorney general Pam Bondi and congressional Republican leaders.

Trump has continued to be pressed about his previous relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 as he faced sex-trafficking charges.

The saga has abated somewhat but will likely will flare up again when lawmakers return to Washington from their summer recess next month.

Meanwhile, the oversight committee began private depositions on Monday with key individuals involved in matters related to Epstein.

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The first meeting took place with former attorney general Bill Barr, who served during Trump’s first term in office. Barr was cooperative and answered questions from both Republican and Democratic staff and members, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Barr told the panel he never saw any evidence suggesting Trump committed a crime, and Trump never provided any instructions related to the criminal case against Epstein or the investigation into his death, the source said. BLOOMBERG