Congress Reviews Unredacted Epstein Files as Maxwell Invokes Fifth Amendment

In Brief

Lawmakers accessed unredacted Epstein investigation files while Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer congressional questions.

Key Facts

• Members of Congress are now allowed to review unredacted files from the Justice Department's Epstein investigation.
• Lawmakers spent Monday at the Justice Department examining these unredacted Epstein files.
• The files pertain to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• The Justice Department made the unredacted files available to Congress on Monday.
• Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment during congressional testimony related to the Epstein investigation.

What Happened

On Monday, the Justice Department granted members of Congress access to unredacted files concerning its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. As lawmakers began reviewing these documents, Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, declined to answer questions from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by invoking the Fifth Amendment.

Why It Matters

The release of unredacted files to Congress marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to scrutinize the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case. Ghislaine Maxwell's decision to plead the Fifth during congressional testimony adds to public and legislative interest in the investigation and related proceedings.