WASHINGTON (AP) — Concerns are escalating among lawmakers as evidence suggests the Justice Department may be surveilling their activities while they review sensitive Epstein files. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has formally requested a probe into what he labeled as 'spying' following the emergence of photographs that display an apparent tracking of search histories on the department's computer systems.
The images, captured during Attorney General Pam Bondi's testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, show her referring to a binder that included a page titled 'Jayapal Pramila Search History,' containing details of documents that Representative Pramila Jayapal had searched. This has incited Jayapal to demand a comprehensive explanation of how the Justice Department is utilizing lawmakers' search data.
'This is totally unacceptable,' Jayapal asserted, emphasizing the need for a full understanding of the department's surveillance practices.
Congress has seen a cross-party effort involving lawmakers accessing Justice Department facilities to examine less-redacted records related to Epstein, but many members express frustration over ongoing redactions and the withholding of pertinent information about Epstein's associates. Previous announcements indicated the release of over 3 million pages along with thousands of videos and images related to the investigations.
Raskin further proclaimed that the Justice Department not only has been withholding records but is also infringing on congressional oversight by surveilling its members. He insisted that the DOJ must cease all tracking of lawmakers immediately and advocate for complete transparency in the release of Epstein-related files, properly redacting only survivors' information as legally mandated.
As the Justice Department has not responded to media inquiries concerning these claims, calls for accountability grow louder amidst fears of overreach within the oversight processes.
