As of December 21, 2025, Democratic lawmakers are intensifying their criticism of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, accusing the Trump administration of deliberate delays and heavy redactions that violate the law’s mandate for full disclosure. The Act, signed by President Trump on November 19, required all unclassified Epstein investigative materials to be released by December 19. Yet the initial December 19 tranche was partial, heavily redacted, and followed by a smaller release on December 20—prompting fierce backlash from Democrats who link the obstruction to broader efforts to shield powerful figures.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), co-author of the bipartisan Act alongside Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), has emerged as a leading voice challenging what he calls “suspicious delays.” In statements and social media posts, Khanna highlighted the law’s explicit requirement for “all” files, accusing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Todd Blanche of defying Congress. “If Pam Bondi does not comply, she will be held in contempt or subject to impeachment,” Khanna warned earlier in December. He and other Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, decry the DOJ’s rolling releases as a stalling tactic, noting entire pages blacked out and photos vanishing from the online “Epstein Library.”
The controversy echoes earlier congressional maneuvers. In fall 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delayed swearing in newly elected Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) for weeks during a government shutdown, a move Democrats fiercely contested as an attempt to block her from providing the decisive signature on a discharge petition forcing the Act’s vote. Grijalva, who won a special election to replace her late father, eventually signed on November 12, paving the way for the bill’s passage. She called the delay “an abuse of power” in her first House speech, tying it directly to efforts to withhold Epstein files.
Survivors like Annie Farmer and Marina Lacerda echo these challenges, demanding unredacted names and details. They argue redactions protect enablers rather than victims, with one noting the DOJ’s caution feels like “another betrayal.” Bipartisan frustration persists: even Massie criticized the incomplete releases, posting the Act’s text to underscore the word “all.”
Democrats, examining legal options including contempt proceedings, vow no letup. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) accused the administration of “covering up” Epstein’s network. As more tranches are promised, Khanna and allies insist full transparency is non-negotiable—for justice, survivors, and public trust. The standoff highlights how Epstein’s shadow continues to expose divisions over accountability in Washington’s elite circles.
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