The Department of Justice (DOJ) acknowledged Thursday that it is logging searchesconducted by members of Congress as they reviewunredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying the tracking is intended to prevent the release of sensitive victim information.
"DOJ has extended Congress the opportunity to review unredacted documents in the Epstein files. As a part of that review, DOJ logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information," a Justice Department spokesman toldNewsweek.
The DOJ's disclosure followed the emergence of a document included in a binder used by U.S. Attorney GeneralPam Bondi during Wednesday'sHouse Judiciary Committee hearing that showed the department recorded details related to searches of the Epstein files by RepresentativePramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat.
Why It Matters
Jayapal criticized the tracking of her activity, saying that it was "totally unacceptable" for the DOJ to track her and others as they sought to readthe latest releases. She was joined by other Democrats, who called for an end to the tracking and full public release of all relevant documents connected to sex offender Epstein. Bondi and the wider Trump administration have been accused of taking too long to comply with legislation that mandated the files' release in December.
What To Know
Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, asked the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate what he characterized as “spying” on members of Congress, after they were given access this week to less-redacted versions of the Epstein files on department-owned computers at an annex of the DOJ.
Raskin said in a statement that the DOJ had not only withheld records from lawmakers, but also then sought to spy on members of Congress "in yet another blatant attempt to intrude into Congress’s oversight processes.”
On Wednesday night, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had not seen or heard anything about the tracking of searches, but said it would be inappropriate if it had occurred.
Some who have seen the documents in recent days, from both parties, have complained that too much information about Epstein associates remained withheld from view. The DOJ had said in January that it was releasing more than 3 million pages along with more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images related to Epstein investigations.
What People Are Saying
Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, on X Thursday:"Yesterday we learned that the Department of Justice is monitoring and tracking members of Congress’s searches of the Epstein files. There’s no sugar coating it: the administration is spying on lawmakers as they exercise their constitutional oversight responsibilities."
Jayapal, on X Thursday:"Republicans should be speaking up right now about how absolutely inappropriate it is for the Department of Justice to spy on us as we try to conduct oversight. The DOJ must be held accountable."
Jason Klint, CEO of Digital Content Next, on X Wednesday:"Again, if the Trump administration is tracking the searches of the Epstein files by members of Congress, that’s creepy. What are they tracking for all of us? That should immediately be demanded. Journalists should be downloading all files and searching elsewhere."
President Donald Trump, reacting to Bondi's hearing on Truth Social Thursday:"Nobody cared about Epstein when he was alive, they only cared about him when they thought he could create Political Harm to a very popular President who has brought our Country back from the brink of extinction, and very quickly, at that."
Marijke Chartouni, Epstein survivor, responding to Bondi's appearance, shared by attorney Aaron Parnas on social media: “The Epstein files transparency act is a non-partisan issue. It is not controversial, and it’s supported by the President himself. Such a shame that AG Bondi’s only contribution to this very serious matter was playground theatrics serving as obfuscations for her ineptitude."
What Happens Next
Multiple lawmakers are calling for the DOJ to be held accountable for tracking their searches. It is unclear if the inspector general will grant that request.
This article contains reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 2/12/26, 3:39 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 2/12/26, 5:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated to reflect the DOJ's comment shared with Newsweek.
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