Democrats push for DOJ watchdog to review handling of Epstein records

The Democratic request comes as the Justice Department faces a Dec. 19 deadline to release more records about the sex-trafficking investigation of Epstein.

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“This audit will help confirm for Congress and the public that the Epstein files that will be released are identical to those collected by law enforcement, other than any legally required redactions,” said the letter signed by Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Adam Schiff of California. “To reassure the American public that any files released have not been tampered with or concealed, the chain of custody forms associated with records and evidence in the Epstein files must be accounted for, analyzed, and released.”

“The purpose of chain of custody documentation is to show in detail who had control of evidence so that questions concerning contamination, tampering, or concealment do not arise,” the letter added.

Senate Democrats have voiced concerns about Trump administration officials demanding the release of Epstein documents before taking office and then saying in July that nothing more could be released.

“Despite tens of thousands of personnel hours reviewing and re-reviewing these Epstein-related records over the course of two weeks in March, it took DOJ more than three additional months to officially find there is ‘no incriminating ‘client list,’’ Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said in July.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/11/jeffrey-epstein-files-democrats-justice-department/87719160007/