The Department of Justice said Thursday that it is logging searches made by members of Congress as they review unredacted materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, arguing the practice is meant to prevent sensitive victim information from being disclosed.
According to a department spokesperson, lawmakers have been given an opportunity to view unredacted documents, and the DOJ records searches performed on its systems as part of that review.
The statement came after attention focused on a document shown during Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing involving Attorney General Pam Bondi. The document indicated the department recorded details connected to searches of the Epstein materials by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state.
Jayapal condemned the tracking, calling it “totally unacceptable,” and other Democrats echoed her concerns. They argued the monitoring should stop and urged broader public disclosure of records related to Epstein. The administration has faced criticism from Democrats who say it has moved too slowly to comply with a law requiring the files’ release in December.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, asked the DOJ’s inspector general to investigate what he described as “spying” on lawmakers. He said members of Congress were provided access this week to less-redacted versions of the Epstein materials on department-owned computers at a DOJ annex.
In a statement, Raskin accused the department of withholding records and then attempting to intrude on congressional oversight by monitoring lawmakers’ activity.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday night that he had not seen or heard reports about the tracking, but added it would be inappropriate if it occurred.
Some lawmakers from both parties who reviewed the materials have complained that substantial information—particularly regarding Epstein’s associates—remains withheld. In January, the DOJ said it was releasing more than 3 million pages, along with more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images connected to Epstein investigations.
The debate continued Thursday as advocates and public figures weighed in online. Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice said the monitoring amounted to lawmakers being tracked while carrying out oversight responsibilities. Jayapal urged Republicans to speak out and called for accountability. Digital Content Next CEO Jason Klint questioned what the government might be tracking more broadly if it is logging searches tied to the Epstein review.
President Donald Trump also commented on the hearing, saying the focus on Epstein intensified only when it was seen as politically damaging. Separately, Epstein survivor Marijke Chartouni criticized the tone of the hearing and said transparency around the files should not be a partisan issue.
Several lawmakers are now calling for the DOJ to be held accountable for logging their searches. It remains unclear whether the inspector general will open an investigation.
