Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna Push DOJ to Unredact Epstein Files; DOJ Says Four Named Men Have No Ties
Lawmakers who pressed the Justice Department to remove redactions from files related to Jeffrey Epstein have sparked confusion after officials confirmed that four of the names read on the House floor were not connected to Epstein but were part of a New York photo lineup used in an unrelated investigation.
What lawmakers revealed on the House floor
Earlier this week, representatives including Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna urged the Department of Justice to unredact documents tied to the Epstein investigation, arguing that some redactions were improper. One unredacted file listed 20 names, birthdays and photos, and Khanna read a list of six names on the House floor as examples of wealthy, powerful figures the department had hidden. The action was framed as a demand for transparency in sensitive court and investigative records.
DOJ: photo lineup explains four names
The Department of Justice said the file in question was a photo lineup assembled by the Southern District of New York for investigative purposes. DOJ officials stated that four of the individuals whose names were read are included in that lineup and have no apparent connection to Epstein or his associates. A Justice Department spokesperson described the unmasking as the forced release of unrelated people who were part of a years-old law enforcement array.
High-profile names and private individuals
Two of the six names read on the floor are widely known public figures: Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who has since resigned as CEO of a major shipping and logistics company, and Leslie Wexner, a retail magnate long linked in public scrutiny to Epstein. The other four men identified had little or no public profile and were not known to have any ties to Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.
Responses from lawmakers and the men named
Massie claimed credit on social media for pressing the department to remove the redactions, while Khanna pushed for fuller disclosure and later said he wished the department had explained the nature of the list sooner. Khanna wrote that the Justice Department’s handling had created confusion for innocent men and failed survivors by delaying clear information.
Two men whose names were read on the House floor vehemently denied any link to Epstein. One said he did not realize his name had been mentioned in connection with Epstein until contacted by reporters. Both acknowledged prior, unrelated interactions with New York law enforcement, which could explain how their photographs entered a police photo array.
Privacy, transparency and the fallout
The episode underscores the tension between demands for public accountability in high-profile criminal matters and the privacy rights of private citizens whose identities can be swept up in court documents and investigative records. Officials and advocates on both sides argue for clearer explanations from prosecutors when redactions are changed or removed, to prevent reputational harm and confusion.
What’s next
Lawmakers who sought the unredactions say they will continue pressing for disclosure around the broader Epstein files, while the Justice Department faces pressure to provide clearer context when releasing sensitive material. Meanwhile, the men whose names appeared in the lineup are seeking ways to clear any lingering association created by the public revelation. The dispute is likely to continue as members of Congress, DOJ officials and affected individuals push for a resolution that balances transparency with safeguards for the innocent.
