Judge: Lawmakers Can Sue For Epstein Files, But Not In Maxwell Case

A judge says congressional cosponsors of a law forcing the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell can sue to seek a court-appointed observer to ensure compliance. But the judge says the two House members lack the legal right to make their demand as part of Maxwell's criminal case. The lawmakers had asked the judge last week in a bid to speed the public disclosure of files related to investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, his longtime confidant. The judge also says the lawmakers are at liberty to use their legislative tools to improve oversight of the Justice Department.

Meanwhile, a House committee has advanced resolutions to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee approved the contempt of Congress charges in bipartisan votes. It sets up a potential vote in the House. Democrats were split on the measures. A number of progressive lawmakers called for full transparency in the Epstein investigation even if it meant threatening a former Democratic president if he refuses to testify.