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- +DoJ watchdog will investigate release of Epstein files – US politics live
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog will review the agency’s handling of records related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, including whether all relevant documents were disclosed and properly redacted.
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog will review the agency’s handling of records related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, including whether all relevant documents were disclosed and properly redacted.
William Blier, acting head of the department’s Office of Inspector General, said the inquiry will examine compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation passed by Congress in November requiring the public release of records related to Epstein, with limited exceptions.
double quotation markOur preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act.
Blier added that the office will also look into “DOJ’s processes for addressing post-release publication concerns.”
President Donald Trump, who had previously dismissed controversy surrounding Epstein as a “hoax” driven by Democrats, initially opposed the measure before ultimately backing and signing it amid pressure from fellow Republicans.
The Justice Department released approximately 3.5 million pages of documents related to its Epstein investigations, though the disclosure came more than a month after the statutory deadline for release.
Politico reported on Thursday:
double quotation markAlleged victims of sexual abuse by Epstein have complained that DOJ repeatedly failed to redact photos and other details that could reveal their identities and did not make public all the information prosecutors have about Epstein associates who were allegedly aware of his crimes or conspired with him but were never charged.
Lawmakers have made similar complaints and have said they suspect DOJ has not released some relevant documents.
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Trump, apparently abandoning his attempt to frighten Iran’s leaders into negotiating by channeling Richard Nixon’s “madman” theory, ruled out the use of nuclear weapons in his conflict with Iran.
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Trump confirmed that the government is considering a plan to bail out or ‘“just buy” Spirit Airlines, but confused Barack Obama with Joe Biden, and Jet Blue with People Express, which has been defunct since 1987.
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