• Rep. Ro Khanna identifies six men redacted in Jeffrey Epstein files, sparking controversy over transparency.
• The redacted names include billionaire Leslie Wexner and Dubai CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
• Critics argue the Justice Department has overly redacted files, shielding powerful individuals.
• Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie discovered the names after reviewing unredacted documents at the DOJ.
• Calls for accountability and full disclosure continue as the Epstein Files Transparency Act is addressed.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna spoke on the House floor on Tuesday, revealing the identities of six "wealthy, powerful men" that the Justice Department had previously redacted from documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The names included billionaire Leslie Wexner, founder of Victoria's Secret, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World. Khanna criticized the Justice Department for the redactions, stating they shielded the men “for no apparent reason” while acknowledging that the files do not directly implicate these men in any crimes. The six men were identified after Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie reviewed unredacted versions of the Epstein files at a DOJ office, finding that 70% to 80% of the files remained redacted despite legislative mandates for transparency, according to CBS News, Anadolu Agency, and Al Jazeera.

Among the six named were less-known individuals: Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, Leonic Leonov, and Nicola Caputo. Khanna emphasized, “If we found six men that they were hiding in two hours, imagine how many men they are covering up for in those 3 million files,” after listing the names, which raises serious questions about the extent of wrongful redactions made by the Justice Department, as reported by CBS News and Al Jazeera.

The Justice Department defended its record-keeping, explaining that the redactions could be due to the enormous volume of documents, stating, "We may have inadvertently redacted individuals or left those unredacted who should have been." Recently released files also indicated Wexner’s reference as a “co-conspirator” in a 2019 FBI document, although there have been no charges made against him, as stated by Anadolu Agency and CBS News.

The release of the Epstein files follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law last November, which mandated the release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein and his criminal activities. Critics, including Khanna, have accused the Justice Department of being overly cautious with redactions, which are permitted only to protect the identities of victims. Khanna’s assertions follow growing concerns by advocacy groups about transparency in the release of evidence against Epstein, detailed by Al Jazeera.

After Khanna’s announcement, the Justice Department partially unredacted files sought by lawmakers, but the underlying questions about the criteria for redaction continue to be debated. “Why did it take Thomas Massie and me going to the Justice Department to get these six men’s identities to become public?” Khanna asked, citing concerns that many more names could be withheld unreasonably, according to CBS News and Anadolu Agency.