Rep. Garcia Charges DOJ With Failing to Release Most Epstein Files Despite Law
Rep. Robert Garcia accused the White House and the Justice Department on Wednesday of a cover-up over the release of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files, charging that President Donald Trump’s administration has failed to comply with a congressional subpoena and the law requiring full disclosure. Garcia’s comments, amplified on social platforms, mark a new escalation in a months-long standoff over access to the files.
Lawmakers passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, and President Trump signed it into law, legally ordering the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents by December 19, 2025. Yet lawmakers and advocates say the released materials represent a fraction of what the government possesses, with only a tiny percentage made public and many files heavily redacted.
Garcia has pushed Attorney General Pam Bondi to not only comply with a committee subpoena but also testify before Congress about the DOJ’s handling of the files. Oversight Committee Democrats argue that DOJ’s slow pace and shifting explanations for delayed production undermine public trust and violate both the subpoena and the statute.
At issue is not just the volume of released material but also allegations — reported elsewhere — that some documents reference high-profile figures, including Trump, and that redactions obscure critical information.
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“It’s clear that the American people deserve transparency, not obfuscation,” Garcia said in a letter to the attorney general. His office says less than 5 % of relevant records have been delivered.
The stakes have broadened beyond partisan lines, with some critics and lawmakers on both sides urging the DOJ to comply fully or face legal consequences. Lawyers for Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie have asked courts to appoint a special master to enforce compliance.
Next up: Committee Republicans are expected to schedule a hearing with Bondi, and legal motions seeking enforcement of the subpoena could move forward in federal court.
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