House lawmakers ask judge to order release of Epstein files

Two House members asked a federal judge to appoint a special master to oversee release of investigative materials on Jeffrey Epstein, saying the Justice Department has not complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act; the judge has set deadlines for a DOJ response and possible replies from Ghislaine Maxwell.

Two House members asked a Manhattan federal judge to compel release of investigative materials on Jeffrey Epstein and to appoint a special master to oversee the disclosures under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. They allege the Justice Department has not met mandatory disclosure obligations. Since Dec. 19 the DOJ has posted 12,285 documents, about 125,575 pages, but officials say most materials remain under review. Department officials have described the review as necessary to protect victim privacy and ongoing court proceedings. Key developments: - Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna filed to have Judge Paul Engelmayer appoint an independent special master to oversee the DOJ’s production of documents under the Act. - The Justice Department has released 12,285 documents but has said it has not released roughly 99% of related materials; officials reported more than 2 million files remain under review and about 1 million additional documents were recently identified. - Engelmayer ruled the lawmakers may file a brief alleging DOJ noncompliance and asked federal prosecutors to respond by Friday; Ghislaine Maxwell may file a reply by Jan. 20. - DOJ statements cited efforts to protect victim privacy and to avoid compromising ongoing cases as reasons for the pace of review. Summary: Lawmakers are seeking court oversight to accelerate disclosures required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act and to address whether the Justice Department has complied. The judge has asked the DOJ to respond to the filing by Friday and will consider issues including standing and proper venue, and Maxwell may file a reply by Jan. 20. The timing and scope of release for the remaining documents are undetermined at this time.