Justice Department Permits Congressional Review of Unredacted Epstein Documents
The Department of Justice has announced it will grant members of Congress access to unredacted files concerning convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, beginning on Monday. This decision follows a letter sent to lawmakers, obtained by The Associated Press, which states that congressional representatives will be able to review unredacted versions of over 3 million files. These documents are being released to comply with legislation passed by Congress last year, marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's case.
Internal Review Reveals Limited Evidence of Sex Trafficking Ring
An Associated Press review of internal Justice Department records indicates that while investigators gathered substantial proof that Epstein sexually abused underage girls, they found minimal evidence to support claims that the well-connected financier operated a sex trafficking ring catering to powerful men. The FBI conducted extensive investigations, including examining Epstein's bank records, emails, and properties, as well as interviewing victims and scrutinising his connections to influential figures globally.
According to a prosecutor's memo from 2025, videos and photos seized from Epstein's residences in New York, Florida, and the Virgin Islands did not depict victims being abused or implicate others in his crimes. Additionally, a 2019 internal memo noted that an examination of Epstein's financial records, including payments to entities linked to prominent individuals in academia, finance, and diplomacy, revealed no connections to criminal activity.
Despite highly publicised claims from one victim that Epstein "lent her" to wealthy friends, agents could not verify this account and found no other victims recounting similar experiences, as per the records.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
Former President Donald Trump has criticised reporters for focusing on the Epstein files, urging the country to "get onto something else." However, this is unlikely as many documents remain unreleased, and those currently public are heavily redacted. In a separate matter, Trump declined to apologise for a racist social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, attributing the post to a staffer and stating, "I didn't make a mistake."
Public Health Appeal Amid Measles Outbreaks
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, has issued a plea for people to get vaccinated against measles, as outbreaks spread across several states and the United States risks losing its measles elimination status. "Take the vaccine, please," Oz emphasised, adding, "We have a solution for our problem." He defended revised federal vaccine recommendations and addressed past comments from President Trump and Health Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine efficacy, stressing that measles is a serious illness requiring vaccination.
Outbreaks in South Carolina and the Utah-Arizona border have surpassed previous case counts, primarily affecting children. Infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines may be contributing to the resurgence of this once-eradicated disease.
Immigration Enforcement and Mask Controversy
In related news, the use of masks by federal officers in immigration enforcement operations has become a contentious issue. The Department of Homeland Security argues that masking protects employees from online harassment, but experts caution it may incite fear and undermine accountability. This debate is central to congressional discussions on funding Homeland Security ahead of a potential partial agency shutdown.
