Tracking which Epstein files members of Congress read

The Justice Department acknowledged logging members' searches of the Epstein files it had made available for review. House Democrats launched an investigation into the department on February 13, 2026. Members of both parties objected. No court has ruled on the practice.

Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Justice Department made unredacted files available for members of Congress to review in person. In February 2026, Rep. Pramila Jayapal reviewed files at the department. At a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing the following day, Attorney General Pam Bondi was photographed with a document titled 'Jayapal Pramila Search History,' containing a list of the files Jayapal had looked at.

Reps. Raskin, Jayapal, and Garcia wrote that the department had 'secretly accessed and analyzed Members' search histories' and used the information to prepare Bondi 'to launch partisan attacks instead of answering oversight questions,' demanding the practice stop. The department acknowledged the logging, stating that it 'logs all searches made on its systems to protect against the release of victim information.'

The objection was bipartisan. Jayapal called it outrageous and Raskin called it 'an outrageous abuse of power,' while Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican, called the document 'disturbing' and 'a form of intimidation, potentially,' and Speaker Mike Johnson described it as inappropriate. House Democrats opened an investigation into the department on February 13, 2026. The department's broader handling of the Epstein files, including the July 2025 reversal, is documented at SPJ-06.

Documented; the photograph, the department's acknowledgment, and statements from members of both parties

No court ruling. The department says search logging protects victims' information; House Democrats opened an investigation into the practice

2026-02-11 to 2026-02-14