Justice Department Inspector General to Probe Epstein File Releases

The Office of Inspector General announced on Thursday that it will investigate the United States Department of Justice's compliance with a November law requiring the release of investigative files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The probe follows bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who cited excessive redactions and the inadvertent disclosure of victim identities.

The Justice Department has released over three million pages of records. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche maintained that the current administration is more transparent than previous governments, though he suggested the department should move past the scandal.

This administrative scrutiny contributed to President Donald Trump's decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month. The investigation announcement followed Trump's nomination of Don Berthiaume to serve as the permanent inspector general.