Epstein Files Update: DOJ Responds to Tracking Searches by Lawmakers

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Feb 12, 2026 at 03:04 PM EST updated Feb 12, 2026 at 05:34 PM EST


The Department of Justice (DOJ) acknowledged Thursday that it is logging searches conducted by members of Congress as they review unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying the tracking is intended to prevent the release of sensitive victim information.

"DOJ has extended Congress the opportunity to review unredacted documents in the Epstein files. As a part of that review, DOJ logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information," a Justice Department spokesman told Newsweek.

The DOJ's disclosure followed the emergence of a document included in a binder used by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi during Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing that showed the department recorded details related to searches of the Epstein files by Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat.

Why It Matters

Jayapal criticized the tracking of her activity, saying that it was "totally unacceptable" for the DOJ to track her and others as they sought to read the latest releases. She was joined by other Democrats, who called for an end to the tracking and full public release of all relevant documents connected to sex offender Epstein. Bondi and the wider Trump administration have been accused of taking too long to comply with legislation that mandated the files' release in December.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/doj-logs-congress-searches-epstein-files-victim-information-11515397

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REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143612509
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143615240

[Hugin]

1. I am not sure how tracking searches protects any except one professional victim from exposure.

It’s looking like my fears that the salve of the congressional terminals is a divide and conquer honey trap has been justified.

Providing the files in such a manner does not follow the law. Release the files!

[thesquanderer]

6. If a victim's name were leaked, they would know who would have been in a position to have leaked it.

It's a ridiculous rationale, but clutching at straws is what you do when all you have are straws.

[Jarqui]

2. Good. They should be able to determine who in the DoJ exposed all the victims names

and pictures that should have been redacted.
And who redacted the names of the pedophiles who victimized these young women.

[FakeNoose]

7. It's not likely - it's only 4 computers specifically made available to the Dem committee members

If any documents should ever be leaked anonymously later on, DoJ will have their list of suspects and the beatings will commence.

[Jarqui]

8. "Not likely" ?

Under this administration, it will NEVER happen

I was kind of making that point sarcastically ...

[mdbl]

3. That's rich!

DOJ logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information," a Justice Department spokesman told Newsweek.

This coming from the dept that released a bunch of victim names already. Besides, Spam Bondi's burn book says otherwise. All they care about is retorting with stupid gotcha statements that have nothing to do with the reason for being there. They need to remove her immature worthless ass.

[orangecrush]

4. The bullshit never stops

[ToxMarz]

5. If they had properly redacted and released the required documents

tracking the unredacted congressional searches would be a moot point and unremarkable. Their defense of 'protecting the victim's personal information' would be valid and reasonable. But of course they didn't do that.

[KPN]

9. I guess they mean the perps are victims.