A federal judge has shut down an effort by two anti-Trump House lawmakers to force the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately release all remaining files related to Jeffrey Epstein, ruling that the court lacks jurisdiction to intervene.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued a seven-page decision rejecting a request from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to participate in the closed criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell as amici curiae, or “friends of the court.”
Khanna and Massie had asked Engelmayer to appoint a special master to oversee the DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), a law they authored and that was signed by President Donald Trump last year.
The statute requires the Justice Department to make public all evidence gathered during decades of investigations into Epstein.
The lawmakers argued that without court oversight, the DOJ could not be trusted to release all required materials and suggested delays were politically motivated.
Judge: Court Has No Authority
Engelmayer rejected the request outright, writing that the congressmen are not parties to the Maxwell case and that the court has no authority to supervise DOJ compliance with the EFTA through that proceeding.
“The only parties to the case are Maxwell and the United States,” Engelmayer wrote.
“This case is now effectively closed.”
He noted that Maxwell’s prosecution, resulting in her December 2021 conviction and 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, was brought under federal criminal statutes that predated the EFTA, which is not itself a criminal law.
“The appointment of a neutral to supervise DOJ’s compliance with the EFTA is far afield from any matter pending before the Court,” the judge added, calling the request an impermissible form of amicus participation.
Lawmakers Vow to Press On
Despite the setback, both lawmakers said they would continue pushing for full disclosure.
Massie and Khanna are hoping that the files contain information on President Trump, which they believe is the reason behind the delays.
“We appreciate the judge’s thoughtful consideration of our letter, and we remain determined to force the DOJ to follow our law using other avenues available to us and the survivors,” Massie said in a statement.
Khanna echoed that sentiment, saying the court acknowledged “legitimate concerns” about whether the DOJ is complying with the statute.
“We will continue to use every legal option to ensure the files are released, and the survivors see justice,” Khanna said.
Ongoing Dispute Over Missing Files
Under the EFTA, the DOJ was required to release all Epstein-related evidence by December 19.
Weeks after that deadline, only a small fraction of the material has been made public, roughly 12,000 documents out of more than 2 million under review, according to the lawmakers.
Khanna and Massie have accused the DOJ of a “flagrant violation” of the law, while the department has said the delay is due to extensive redactions needed to protect victims’ identities.
Engelmayer acknowledged the lawmakers’ concerns but made clear that the judiciary is not the proper vehicle to resolve them.
“The Representatives do not seek to opine on any live issue before the Court,” he wrote.
“Their request falls outside the scope of this Court’s authority.”
For now, pressure on the Justice Department to release the remaining Epstein files will continue outside the courtroom, as lawmakers explore legislative and oversight options to enforce the law.
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