During a recent session in the House of Representatives, California congressional representative Ro Khanna read out names he believed were significant to the Jeffrey Epstein case, alleging that the Department of Justice had concealed their identities. Khanna, alongside Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, criticized the DOJ for redacting certain names in previously released files, suggesting that this amounted to an unlawful cover-up. Among the six names mentioned by Khanna were individuals he portrayed as 'wealthy, powerful men,' hoping to cast new light on the extent of influence within the Epstein case.

However, in a clarification following inquiries from the Guardian, the Department of Justice stated that four of the six individuals named by Khanna actually have no discernible links to Epstein. It was revealed that these men were part of a photo lineup, which was prepared by the Southern District of New York during the investigation, but they were not implicated in any wrongdoing or involvement with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. This raised questions about the accuracy and appropriateness of Khanna's claims on the House floor, particularly regarding how the identities were presented without clear context.

The incident has sparked a broader debate around transparency and accountability within the DOJ regarding the Epstein case, as well as the responsibilities of public officials when addressing sensitive matters that involve allegations of serious criminal conduct. Khanna's actions reflect an ongoing concern among some legislators about the need for more thorough investigations and the potential implications of findings that could implicate powerful figures. This situation serves as a reminder of how misinformation or misidentification in high-profile cases like Epstein's can have significant repercussions for individuals and public trust in the legal system.