WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Democrat is demanding a watchdog investigation after emerging photographs appear to indicate that the Justice Department is tracking the search history of lawmakers assessing files linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, urged the inspector general of the Justice Department to investigate what he described as “spying” on congressional members, many of whom have been scrutinizing less-redacted versions of Epstein files at a DOJ annex.
Images captured during Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee depicted her holding a document revealing the search history of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a committee member who confronted Bondi about the handling of Epstein files.
In response, Jayapal branded the actions “entirely unacceptable,” asserting that lawmakers will be “demanding a complete explanation” regarding how the department employs search history data.
Raskin condemned the tracking actions, stating that not only has the DOJ withheld crucial documents from lawmakers, but Bondi’s team is also intruding upon Congress’s oversight responsibility. He insisted that the DOJ cease tracking members' searches, allow senior congressional staff access to the Epstein materials, and publicly disclose all documents while properly redacting only survivors' information as mandated by law.
Currently, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has traveled to a DOJ site to evaluate less-redacted records, but complaints have arisen regarding excessive information still being hidden concerning Epstein's associates. Last month, the Trump-era Justice Department announced the release of over 3 million files and numerous videos related to the Epstein investigations.
The Justice Department has not yet responded to inquiries concerning these allegations.
