The Justice Department on Friday afternoon released the first batch of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.
The Republican-controlled Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Justice Department for the files early this month.
The move to do so was initiated by U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale. In late July, she made a motion to seek the files during a meeting of the committee’s Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee. Lee serves as the top Democrat on the committee, which is made up of seven Republicans and five Democrats.
A vote to seek the files passed the subcommittee in an 8-2 vote with bipartisan support.
“We’re looking forward to reviewing this first batch of files and getting to the truth,” Lee posted Friday afternoon on X.
U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the Oversight Committee, said the first batch of files consists of thousands of pages.
“The Committee intends to make these records public after thorough review to ensure any victims’ identification and child sexual abuse material are redacted. The Committee will also consult with the DOJ to ensure any documents released do not negatively impact ongoing criminal cases and investigations,” Comer said in a statement.
In addition to seeking the Epstein files, the Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for depositions with former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials, The Associated Press has reported. It also sought the release of all communications that former President Joe Biden and his administration had with the Justice Department regarding Epstein.
Trump has tried to distance himself from any fallout over the Justice Department’s decision not to publicly release a full accounting of the Epstein investigation, but lawmakers from both major political parties, as well as many in Trump’s political base, have refused to let the issue go, the AP reported.
