UPDATE: Urgent concerns have emerged regarding the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Ankush Khardori, a lawyer and senior writer for Politico, publicly criticized the DOJ on Saturday for a significant contradiction that he believes warrants immediate attention.
The DOJ is currently engaged in a phased rollout of Epstein files, a process mandated by law. However, Khardori pointed out that just last summer, the agency attempted to halt further investigations into Epstein, asserting it had already reviewed all pertinent files, according to a leaked DOJ memo from June 2023.
Adding to the confusion, on Christmas Eve, the DOJ revealed it had discovered one million more documents related to Epstein, necessitating additional time for proper redaction and review before public release. “How could the DOJ just find a million new documents?” Khardori asked during his appearance on CNN Saturday.
Khardori emphasized the critical nature of this question, noting the Trump Justice Department’s claim that it had thoroughly reviewed all documents prior to issuing a joint memo stating there was nothing further to investigate. This inconsistency raises serious questions about the DOJ’s competence in handling such a high-profile case.
The newly uncovered documents reportedly originated from the Southern District of New York, the same district where Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was prosecuted and convicted for sex trafficking.
Khardori expressed disbelief at the DOJ’s oversight, stating, “I can tell you as someone who represented corporations in response to Justice Department criminal investigations, if a corporate defendant waited until the last day to respond to a subpoena and then claimed a week later that they had a million documents they had missed, the Justice Department would go ballistic.” He described the situation as “a total professionally incompetent endeavor” that reflects poorly on the current DOJ leadership.
As these revelations unfold, the implications for ongoing investigations into Epstein and his associates are profound. The public and victims of Epstein’s crimes are left questioning the DOJ’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
What’s Next: As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the DOJ to provide clarity on the newly discovered documents and their significance. Legal experts and advocates alike are urging the department to ensure that all victims receive justice without further delay.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to evolve.
