The Department of Justice under President Trump reportedly delivered its first batch of records related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, responding to a subpoena issued by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) for the so-called “Epstein Files.”
The release included thousands of pages of documents, as well as a transcript of an interview Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted last month with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
“The House Oversight Committee has received the Department of Justice’s first production of Epstein records pursuant to Chairman James Comer’s subpoena. The production contains thousands of pages of documents,” a House GOP Oversight Committee spokesperson said.
While the release came several days after the original Tuesday deadline, Oversight Republicans praised the speed and thoroughness of the Trump administration’s effort. “The Trump DOJ is providing records at a far quicker pace than anything the Biden DOJ ever provided.
In fact, former Attorney General Garland obstructed Chairman Comer’s subpoena for the audio of Special Counsel Hur’s interview with President Biden to hide his cognitive decline,” the GOP spokesperson said.
Comer emphasized the committee’s commitment to transparency while safeguarding victims. “We’re going to work as quickly as we can,” he said on Thursday.
“This is sensitive information. We want to make sure we don’t do anything that [will] harm or jeopardize any victims that were involved in this. But we’re going to be transparent.”
The panel intends to make the records public once they have been reviewed, redacting any identifying information of victims or material involving child sexual abuse, the spokesperson said.
The committee will also coordinate with the DOJ to ensure that no documents released compromise ongoing criminal investigations.
The subpoena and document release follow widespread controversy over a July memo from the Department of Justice and FBI indicating that no further information from the Epstein files would be disclosed.
Conservatives decried the move as an attempt to shield powerful individuals potentially connected to Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. Democrats, meanwhile, sought to use the controversy to draw connections to President Trump, alleging a cover-up.
“The Oversight panel subpoenaed the DOJ for the files this month pursuant to a Democratic-led motion in a subcommittee to subpoena the Justice Department for the ‘full, unredacted Epstein files,’” the spokesperson explained. “Three Republicans joined Democrats to move to subpoena the DOJ, and Chairman Comer issued the subpoena in August.”
By acting swiftly, the Trump Justice Department sought to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and transparency in contrast with the delays and obstruction alleged under the Biden administration.
GOP committee members underscored that making the documents available for public review is critical to restoring trust in the justice system.
“This is sensitive, important work,” the spokesperson said. “We want to ensure victims are protected while also ensuring the American people have access to these records so they can understand the full scope of Epstein’s activities and the potential individuals involved.”
With thousands of pages already in hand, Oversight Republicans are preparing to review the documents carefully and release them in a manner that balances public transparency with legal and ethical obligations.
The committee’s work highlights the Trump administration’s willingness to confront entrenched secrecy in federal investigations, even on high-profile cases that touch politically sensitive figures.
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