US Top News and Analysis | DOJ's handling of Epstein files to get congressional watchdog scrutiny

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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D‑OR), joined by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK), Ben Ray Luján (D‑NM) and Dick Durbin (D‑IL), announced that the Government Accountability Office will investigate the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files after the DOJ was accused of heavily redacting the names of powerful business and elected officials and failing to protect victims as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The lawmakers allege the department violated the law’s mandate for full disclosure, noting that the Trump administration has been “cruelly denying ‘equal justice under the law’” to Epstein’s victims and that the investigation is a crucial step toward accountability. The probe follows criticism of the DOJ’s release process, the firing of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, and a separate internal DOJ watchdog audit requested by Merkley, Murkowski, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal to assess compliance with the 2025 release deadline.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/28/jeffrey-epstein-doj-gao-congress.html

#JeffreyEpstein #JeffMerkley #DonaldTrump #EpsteinAct #LisaMurkowski #BenRayLujn #DickDurbin #RichardBlumenthal #PamBondi

NBC News Top Stories | Justice Department watchdog probes compliance with Epstein Act by Ryan J. Reilly

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The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is investigating whether the agency complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the release of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Deputy Inspector General William M. Blier said the probe will assess the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and publishing documents, after earlier releases revealed victims’ personal information and drew criticism for withholding millions of files. While the federal case resulted in only one conviction—Ghislaine Maxwell—the law was passed in November to force broader disclosure, leading to partial releases in December and a larger batch in January, with about 200,000 records still withheld or redacted. The watchdog will examine the department’s guidance on redaction, its handling of concerns raised by victims, and will eventually issue a public report on its findings, as investigations into Epstein’s network continue worldwide.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-watchdog-probes-compliance-epstein-act-rcna341655

#InspectorGeneral #EpsteinAct #JeffreyEpstein #GhislaineMaxwell #Trumpadministration #WilliamBlier #MerrickB.GouldBlanche

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US Top News and Analysis | Epstein files: DOJ watchdog reviewing release of documents on sex offender

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The Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General has launched an audit to determine whether the agency is complying with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the full disclosure of all DOJ records related to Jeffrey Epstein and his convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Deputy Inspector General William Blier said the review will assess the DOJ’s procedures for locating, redacting and releasing the files and may explore any additional issues that arise, with a public report to follow upon completion. The investigation comes after months of complaints that the DOJ has withheld numerous Epstein‑related documents, despite the law being enacted in November, and follows recent turmoil at the department, including the firing of former Attorney General Pam Bondi after disputes over the handling of the files.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/epstein-files-doj-audit.html

#InspectorGeneral #JeffreyEpstein #GhislaineMaxwell #WilliamBlier #EpsteinAct #PamBondi

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RE: https://mastodon.social/@tawtovo/116359120091757946

It's easy for constituents in Blue states to say "My rep can't do anything!" and in Red states to say "My rep doesn't care!"

In Blue states: ask them what they are doing to persuade their colleagues or sway public opinion. If they can't win a vote, they can do other things.

In Red states: if we call them enough and organize in public, some might start caring (unlikely but remember #EpsteinAct), some staffers might quit (which hinders them), and we lay groundwork for future action.
#USpol