1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The Department of Justice appears to have missed two legal deadlines related to the Epstein files: (1) December 19 to release all the files (2) January 5 to submit to Congress a written justification for any documents from those files that were redacted or withheld. This is not a technical oversight or a matter of agency discretion. Congress enacted a clear statute with mandatory deadlines, and the executive branch is legally obligated to comply. Failure to do so constitutes defiance of the law and erodes the constitutional oversight authority of Congress. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act because the public demanded answers and accountability in a case involving extraordinary abuse of power and influence. Allowing the Department of Justice to ignore that law without consequence would set a dangerous precedent: that statutes passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities can be nullified through delay and silence. Congress possesses ample legal authority to respond when the executive branch ignores statutory commands. That authority includes compelling compliance through civil enforcement actions, invoking contempt powers, and applying.conditions to appropriations. I urge you to take these actions available to Congress immediately to enforce the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The credibility of our justice system and of. The constitutional separation of powers depends on Congress asserting its authority now.