Rep. Massie Warns DOJ Could Be Guilty of a Crime if Epstein Files Aren’t Released by Next Friday
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said this week that the Justice Department could be committing a crime if it doesn’t publicly release the files it holds on the Epstein case by next Friday, linking that deadline to the new transparency law Congress passed and President Trump signed.
His comment escalates tension over whether the Department of Justice will fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan law aimed at forcing the release of unclassified documents tied to the late convicted sex trafficker.
The statute, cleared by a 427–1 House vote and unanimous Senate consent, directs the DOJ to publish all unclassified Epstein-related records and provide searchable access by roughly Dec. 19, 2025, roughly 30 days after enactment.
Massie has publicly warned that a new DOJ claim of ongoing investigations could be used to justify withholding files, undermining the law’s intent.
“It’s not about anyone being implicated — it’s about the law being followed,” Massie said in his remarks.
That warning matters because the statute obligates release, but it does not explicitly attach a specific criminal penalty to non-compliance, despite some commentary suggesting officials could face legal consequences if they ignore the mandate.
The DOJ has already begun partial compliance: a federal judge ordered unsealing of some grand jury materials under the new law.
It remains to be seen whether the department meets the full deadline or whether legal challenges or redactions slow the process. Watch for updates through next week.
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