Judge rules against lawmakers pressing for monitor to ensure release of Epstein files

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 3 min read 100% complete by By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTERJanuary 21, 2026 at 06:23 PM

Read Original Article

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

A judge ruled that Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie cannot intervene in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case to demand a court-appointed monitor for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. The lawmakers, cosponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, sought to expedite the release of over two million documents related to investigations into Epstein and Maxwell. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer agreed with the Justice Department that he lacked the authority to grant their request within Maxwell's criminal case. He suggested the lawmakers could pursue a separate lawsuit or use legislative tools for oversight. Khanna stated they respect the decision and will continue pursuing legal options to ensure the files are released, following the Justice Department's missed December 19th deadline to release all files.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

New York 40% Donald Trump 50% Congress 50% Epstein Files Transparency Act 70% Thomas Massie ×280% Ghislaine Maxwell ×380% Ro Khanna ×380% Paul A. Engelmayer ×385% U.S. Department of Justice ×490% Jeffrey Epstein ×290%

Keywords

epstein files 100% jeffrey epstein 90% ghislaine maxwell 80% justice department 80% court-appointed observer 70% sex trafficking 60% legal right 50% public disclosure 50% lawmakers 40%