Epstein DOJ information face technical glitches and heavy redaction criticism

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The Department of Justice's efforts to launch all of its information associated to Jeffrey Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's intercourse trafficking instances by the authorized deadline fell in need of expectations on Friday, leading to complaints starting from technological glitches to extreme redactions and lacking paperwork.

Simply after 3 p.m., the extremely anticipated web site containing the paperwork went dwell with a message informing guests they had been "in line." The web page by no means superior and would sometimes crash. As soon as the information turned seen, some individuals had been reporting that they nonetheless couldn't entry the web site.

"Acquired me ready in line for these Epstein information prefer it’s a 2019 Yeezy drop," one consumer wrote on X.

The regulation required that the information be searchable, however New York College regulation professor Ryan Goodman was amongst those that noticed that the search bar feature on the web site was additionally not reliably capturing content material. Some on the left identified that President Donald Trump’s title was initially not exhibiting up in any of the paperwork. Trump was one in all lots of Epstein’s prosperous pals earlier than Epstein confronted fees. The search bar gave the impression to be working as of Friday evening.

SCHUMER ACCUSES TRUMP ADMIN OF EPSTEIN FILES 'COVER-UP' AMID DOCUMENT DISPUTE

The Division of Justice launched a trove of Epstein paperwork on Dec. 19 following President Donald Trump's signature on the Epstein Information Transparency Act in November. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan through Getty Pictures)

The commonest criticism, nonetheless, targeted on what critics described as an incomplete launch and intensive redactions. The DOJ has stated it was required to redact data that might establish victims or minors.

In a letter to Congress, Deputy Legal professional Normal Todd Blanche touted the DOJ's effort to satisfy its obligations beneath the Epstein Information Transparency Act as "historic."

Blanche stated the paperwork underwent a rigorous evaluate and redaction course of involving greater than 200 attorneys and that sure DOJ elements produced tranches of information this week that required extra time to evaluate. He stated he anticipated the remainder of the information to be uploaded to the web site inside two weeks.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks alongside Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., throughout a information convention on the Epstein Information Transparency Act exterior the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Heather Diehl/Getty Pictures)

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., highlighted the statutory language of the Epstein Information Transparency Act on X.

"Sadly, in the present day’s doc launch by @AGPamBondi and @DAGToddBlanche grossly fails to adjust to each the spirit of the letter of the regulation that @realDonaldTrump signed simply 30 days in the past," Massie wrote.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a co-sponsor of the laws, stated he and Massie had been "exploring all choices," together with potential contempt proceedings or different actions towards DOJ officers.

"It's an incomplete launch with too many redactions," Khanna stated.

DOJ PUBLISHES TROVE OF EPSTEIN FILES, SAYS MORE TO COME AFTER FRIDAY DEADLINE

Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump on latest Supreme Courtroom rulings within the briefing room on the White Home on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures)

Tim Younger, a media fellow with the conservative Heritage Basis, panned the redactions in a post on X and took a jab at Attorney General Pam Bondi over the DOJ's botched rollout of already-public information earlier this yr. Bondi had given right-wing social media influencers binders of information in February, however the data had been a dud and enraged a faction of Trump’s base.

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., appeared on MSNOW on Friday night and accused the administration of "breaking the regulation."

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Nonetheless, the DOJ has stood by its work as exemplary, saying in a press release on-line that "President Trump’s DOJ is delivering historic transparency whereas defending victims."

Fox Information Digital reached out to the DOJ for remark.

Ashley Oliver is a reporter for Fox Information Digital and FOX Enterprise, protecting the Justice Division and authorized affairs. Electronic mail story tricks to ashley.oliver@fox.com .