Epstein survivors criticize DOJ for failure to release all files

Over a dozen Jeffrey Epstein survivors shared a letter with Congress on Monday, urging lawmakers to hold the Justice Department accountable for delays in releasing all the Epstein files.The big picture: They slammed the DOJ for failing to redact some survivors' identities as required by law and for withholding some files beyond the Dec. 19 deadline. No financial documents were included in Friday's release, and all 119 pages of a grand jury document released by a federal judge were fully redacted. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which ordered the Justice Department to release all files related to its investigation, required redactions to protect victims or private individuals and to protect sensitive materials, per the DOJ. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said more documents should be rolled out in the coming weeks, but did not explain the delay.What they're saying: In Monday's two-page letter, the survivors said the files were released with "abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation." They also criticized how challenging or "impossible" it was to search through the trove of documents released Friday, and how the DOJ has failed to communicate with Epstein's victims on what information was withheld from the release, how to locate files that relate to their cases, or offered copies of the files, "despite repeated requests."The survivors are asking Congress to "stand up for the rule of law" and demanding legal action to ensure the DOJ upholds its promise to release the files in full. Worth noting: Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said they are "exploring all legal options" since the DOJ has failed to release the complete set of files by the deadline.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced a resolution Monday urging the Senate to take legal action against the Trump administration for withholding and heavily redacting the files. State of play: The Epstein files offered a deeper look into Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, and revealed more images of the convicted sex offender with notable figures like former President Clinton. The files also provide new details about the abuse survivors endured, including an account from a then-16-year-old who said she gave Epstein partially nude massages and was encouraged to seek emancipation from her parents so she could live with him as a "sex slave." A photo of President Trump was initially deleted from the files the Justice Department released on Friday before later being restored. The image's disappearance and reappearance have fueled questions about whether the DOJ is selectively withholding information. Blanche said they pulled the photo due to concerns about revealing the identities of the women pictured with Trump. Go deeper: Epstein survivors say they received death threats in new letterEditor's note: This story has been updated with a resolution from Schumer to to take legal action over the files.