House Oversight Republicans faulted the Justice Department and Epstein’s associates in a final report. Democrats called it incomplete.
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee released their final report on Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, criticizing the Justice Department’s handling of the case across decades and several administrations. The roughly 136-page report concludes the committee’s 15-month investigation. Committee Chairman James Comer said the department must interview or re-interview key witnesses, investigate Epstein associates accused of criminal activity and ensure survivors have access to their records.
The report faulted the Justice Department for failing to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, improperly releasing sensitive information about victims and not giving survivors full access to the files. It also questioned the truthfulness of some prominent witnesses who told the committee they were unaware of Epstein’s crimes, including former President Bill Clinton, Leslie Wexner and Leon Black. It said “willful ignorance” among people in Epstein’s orbit helped him continue his offenses. The report said the evidence does not suggest President Donald Trump is implicated in Epstein’s crimes. Trump has denied wrongdoing.
Democrats on the committee called the report incomplete, saying it followed an investigation with no public hearings. Ranking Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia said Democrats will continue investigating in the new Congress. A separate Democratic report alleges the Justice Department worked to cover up Trump’s connections to Epstein and calls for an independent special counsel, arguing Attorney General Todd Blanche is compromised because he was Trump’s personal attorney.
The report came out as House Republicans met to elect their new leaders.
This report draws on NBC News, ABC News, The Hill, Forbes and NewsNation.