The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to hand over hundreds of pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein to the House Oversight Committee, as per a bipartisan subpoena request. Committee Chair James Comer emphasized transparency while noting sensitive information must be handled carefully, with some redaction expected to protect victims. The DOJ’s previous conclusion that Epstein’s case ‘closed’ with no significant findings has drawn political backlash, prompting Trump and the administration to seek increased disclosure.
Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., confirmed on Thursday that the DOJ is set to begin transferring documents related to Jeffrey Epstein to the House Oversight Committee on Friday, despite no firm timeline for the release of the materials. Comer underscored the importance of transparency, stating, ‘We want to make sure we don’t do anything to harm or jeopardize any victims that were involved in this.’ The materials requested include all documents and communications in the DOJ’s possession relating to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as files on human trafficking and sexual abuse.
The DOJ had earlier declared the Epstein case closed after an ‘exhaustive review,’ claiming Epstein had no ‘client list,’ did not blackmail ‘prominent individuals,’ and had died by suicide in a New York City jail. This assessment drew renewed controversy, especially within the GOP, prompting Trump and his administration to seek further transparency. The subpoena deadline for the DOJ was moved to Friday to accommodate the Trump administration, which Comer stated was complying with the request.
Representative Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, highlighted that while the GOP prioritized Epstein’s case, Democrats focused on economic and social issues. ‘This wasn’t a promise that we made,’ Crockett noted, emphasizing the importance of adhering to voter priorities. The matter remains under public and political scrutiny as the House Oversight Committee seeks to uncover more details about Epstein’s activities and the DOJ’s handling of the case.