A US congressional panel has released a trove of documents related to the federal investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House of Representatives Oversight Committee published 33,295 pages, including flight logs, jail surveillance video, court filings, audio recordings, and emails. However, both Republican and Democratic members expressed concerns that the files do not present any new information, casting doubt on whether the Justice Department is withholding other essential records concerning Epstein.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, acknowledged that the documents revealed little of substance. He reported that there was nothing new in the files. The newly released surveillance footage from Epstein's jail cell on the night of his death covers 13 hours and 41 seconds, including a problematic 'missing minute' which remains a focal point of conspiracy theories regarding Epstein's death by suicide.
After issuing a legal summons to the Department of Justice, the Republican-led panel obtained these files. Lawmakers had hoped for greater transparency, particularly as many constituents demand accountability. Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously stated that the 'missing minute' was a non-issue attributed to the jail's camera system resetting.
The release includes interviews with alleged victims from 2006 and features bodycam footage of the police search of Epstein's home. Despite the massive volume of documents, Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, stated that approximately 97% of the materials were already public knowledge, offering no mention of an incriminating client list.
As discussions of the released documents unfold, bipartisan efforts in Congress are pushing for even greater transparency, highlighting the societal demand for clarity on Epstein's high-profile connections. This release arrives amidst increased scrutiny and emotional testimonies from Epstein's victims, who pressed lawmakers to unveil the complete narrative surrounding Epstein's actions and the institutions that may have protected him.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, acknowledged that the documents revealed little of substance. He reported that there was nothing new in the files. The newly released surveillance footage from Epstein's jail cell on the night of his death covers 13 hours and 41 seconds, including a problematic 'missing minute' which remains a focal point of conspiracy theories regarding Epstein's death by suicide.
After issuing a legal summons to the Department of Justice, the Republican-led panel obtained these files. Lawmakers had hoped for greater transparency, particularly as many constituents demand accountability. Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously stated that the 'missing minute' was a non-issue attributed to the jail's camera system resetting.
The release includes interviews with alleged victims from 2006 and features bodycam footage of the police search of Epstein's home. Despite the massive volume of documents, Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, stated that approximately 97% of the materials were already public knowledge, offering no mention of an incriminating client list.
As discussions of the released documents unfold, bipartisan efforts in Congress are pushing for even greater transparency, highlighting the societal demand for clarity on Epstein's high-profile connections. This release arrives amidst increased scrutiny and emotional testimonies from Epstein's victims, who pressed lawmakers to unveil the complete narrative surrounding Epstein's actions and the institutions that may have protected him.
