Congressional Watchdog to Investigate DOJ's Handling of Epstein Files Amid Criticism
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is set to investigate the Department of Justice's (DOJ) handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a request from several senators, including Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The investigation comes after criticism that the DOJ did not comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the release of documents by December 2025. Critics argue that the DOJ heavily redacted names of powerful individuals in the files, potentially shielding them from scrutiny. The DOJ's handling of the files has been controversial, with allegations that it failed to protect victims while releasing sensitive information. The investigation aims to hold the Trump administration accountable for its actions regarding the Epstein case.