Attorney General Pam Bondi has publicly defended the US Department of Justice's delayed release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, despite the agency missing a key legal deadline.
Missed Deadline and Mounting Pressure
The Department of Justice failed to meet the statutory deadline of 19 December set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. To date, only approximately 12,000 pages of the more than 2 million documents mandated for release have been made public.
Bondi stated that over 500 reviewers, including 400 lawyers, are processing millions of pages daily. She attributed the delays to technical "glitches" and the complex, sensitive work of protecting victim privacy.
Calls for Independent Oversight
The handling of the release has sparked significant distrust among lawmakers. Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have formally requested a federal court appoint a special master to oversee the process, arguing that an independent official is needed to ensure transparency.
Their intervention highlights a profound lack of confidence in the DOJ's ability to manage the disclosure impartially and efficiently.
Survivors' Concerns Over Redactions
Survivors of Epstein's abuse have raised serious alarms about the redaction process. They allege a pattern of selective censorship, where the names of alleged abusers and powerful associates are being protected, while identifying details of victims are sometimes left exposed.
This has intensified calls for the special master, who would be tasked with ensuring redactions are applied fairly and solely to protect legitimate privacy concerns, not to shield the powerful.
The situation remains fluid, with the DOJ under intense scrutiny to expedite the release while navigating legitimate privacy issues and a mountain of evidence. The court's decision on appointing a special master will be a pivotal next step in this high-profile transparency battle.
