A Distraction From the Epstein Files?

"The Department of Justice was legally required to release the files by December 19, 2025, a month after Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 19. But for the third straight week, release of the Epstein Files has lapsed as DOJ officials continue to tell a federal judge they require additional time to review over a million documents potentially related to the Epstein Files."

"Among those critics is Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has repeatedly questioned the actions of DOJ officials, who have only released an estimated 1 percent of all documents related to the Epstein Files. But, in an interview with CNN this week, Massie told host Jake Tapper that his deepest concerns aren't about the volume of material being kept from public eyes, but specific documents that could spell trouble for elite members of American society."

"Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has spearheaded the push for full disclosure along with Massie and has demanded federal judge Paul Engelmayer appoint a special master to oversee the mandatory release of the files. "Frankly, the DOJ should welcome this," Khanna said during an appearance with Lawrence O'Donnell in early January. "Have an independent person. We're not saying Massie or I should do it. We're not saying the survivors' lawyers should do it. We're just saying, have a judge appoint an independent person to interpr"

Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 19, creating a December 19, 2025 deadline for DOJ to release the files. DOJ has failed to meet that deadline and has asked a federal judge for more time to review over a million potentially related documents, citing the need to protect victims. DOJ has released roughly 1 percent of the documents so far. Critics including Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna allege the delays protect wealthy and politically connected individuals and intelligence agencies, and demand appointment of an independent special master to ensure mandatory disclosure.

Read at The American Conservative