A US congressional panel has released a trove of documents related to the federal investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The House of Representatives Oversight Committee published 33,295 pages, including flight logs, jail surveillance video, court filings, audio recordings, and emails.
However, Republicans and Democrats alike reported that the files contained little new information, and it remains unclear whether the Justice Department is withholding other documents related to Epstein.
There has been mounting pressure from supporters of former President Donald Trump for increased transparency concerning the investigation, particularly after the Justice Department stated in July there was no 'incriminating' client list associated with Epstein.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, ordered the documents to be published online on Tuesday, following a legal summons issued to the Department of Justice last month. While acknowledging there was little new information, Comer stated, 'As far as I can see, there's nothing new in the documents.'
The release included footage from outside Epstein's New York jail cell on the night of his death, with over 13 hours of recorded video from August 9 to August 10, 2019. It should be noted that this release included two hours more video than was previously available, yet lacks what has been referred to as the 'missing minute' — a gap in footage that has spurred conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's official cause of death.
Lawsuit documents from past investigations and police bodycam footage from incidents involving Epstein also form a part of the newly released cache. However, many of the documents have been public for years, raising skepticism about the intention behind their release.
Democratic congresswoman Summer Lee indicated that the only significant new piece of information disclosed was flight logs detailing Epstein's travel to his Virgin Islands residence.
The release came amid a push led by backbench Republican Thomas Massie to require the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related documentation within a 30-day period. This move highlights an ongoing concern among Congress regarding transparency in handling Epstein's case and its broader implications.
Later meetings with Epstein's victims have left lawmakers moved, as expressions of grief and frustration filled the sessions. Congresswoman Nancy Mace was notably emotional after one such meeting, signaling the profound impact this investigation continues to have on survivors and policymakers alike.
In light of these developments, further actions by lawmakers and survival advocates are anticipated, with a press conference scheduled for Wednesday on Capitol Hill to address the ongoing issues surrounding Epstein's case.
